A Wollongong man has appeared before the NSW Bail Division Courts (13 March, 2026) charged with possessing and transmitting child abuse material.
The man, 55, was granted conditional bail and is next scheduled to appear before Wollongong Local Court on 6 May, 2026.
The AFP launched an investigation in February, 2026, following a report to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) regarding an online user on an instant messaging application displaying a sexual interest in children.
AFP investigators allege the Wollongong man is linked to the illegal online activity.
A search warrant was executed in Cordeaux Heights on 13 February, 2026, with investigators seizing electronic devices alleged to contain child abuse material.
The man was charged with:
- One count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.19(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- One count of possessing child abuse material, contrary to section 91H of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW); and
- One count of using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
The maximum penalty for these offences is 15 years' imprisonment.
AFP Detective Superintendent Luke Needham said the AFP was committed to targeting anyone who exploited children.
"This arrest should serve as a reminder that anyone accessing or sharing child abuse material will be found and apprehended," Det-Supt Needham said.
"The AFP uses advanced capabilities to identify offenders wherever they are, and we will not hesitate to take action.
"The AFP encourages the community to report any behaviour that places children at risk. Every report helps protect the most vulnerable members of our society and supports our efforts to dismantle networks involved in child exploitation."
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) is driving a collaborative national approach to combatting child abuse.
The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.
Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
If you or someone you know is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available.
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at the ThinkUKnow website, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
