Four men have been charged with child sex offences following a coordinated series of search warrants across Brisbane and Far North Queensland targeting online child sexual exploitation.
Investigators from Argos, with the assistance of the Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) and Public Safety Response Team (PSRT), and specialist capabilities from the Dog Squad and Digital Forensic Unit, and the Australian Federal Police-led Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET), executed six search warrants as part of an Argos operation.
The operation resulted in the arrest of four men who have been charged with 57 State and Commonwealth child sex offences, in addition to a range of drug and weapons offences:
A 57-year-old Herberton man was charged with eight State and Commonwealth offences involving the possession of child exploitation material (CEM) and using a carriage service to access and make child sexual abuse material (CSAM) available to others.
It will be alleged the man had a sophisticated system of encryption protecting in excess of 30TB of storage, which he was attempting to engage when he was arrested on 19 October. The man was remanded in custody to reappear in the Atherton Magistrates Court on 5 January 2027.
A 55-year-old East Barron man was charged with eight State and Commonwealth offences concerning the making of child exploitation material (CEM) and using a carriage service to access and make child sexual abuse material (CSAM) available to others.
Examination of devices identified that the man was making CEM and it will be alleged he was describing content in text and soliciting child sexual abuse material from other online users. The man was arrested on 20 Octoberand was bailed to appear in the Atherton Magistrates Court on 1 December 2026.
A 55-year-old Greenslopes man was charged with 33State and Commonwealth offences concerning the making of child exploitation material (CEM) and using a carriage service to access and make child sexual abuse material (CSAM) available to others. He was also charged with four drug and weapon related offences.
It is alleged that, over a two-week period in October 2026, the man engaged in online grooming behaviour and distributed and solicited indecent material online. Police executed a search warrant at the Greenslopes residence with, where the man was allegedly located actively downloading CSAM.
During the search, investigators seized several electronic devices that allegedly contained evidence of grooming a child under 16 years of age, possession of child abuse material, and the use of a carriage service to transmit and make available child abuse material. The man was also charged with failing to comply with an order to provide access information for electronic devices, breaches of reporting obligations, and additional weapons and drug offences. He was arrested on 20 October and remanded in custody and is scheduled to reappear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on 20 November 2026.
A 21-year-old Innisfail man was charged with eightState and Commonwealth offences concerning the making of child exploitation material (CEM) and using a carriage service to access and make child sexual abuse material (CSAM) available to others. He was also charged in relation to two drug offences.
Police will allege he was actively communicating with other users through online applications and engaging in behaviour consistent with the access, distribution, solicitation and grooming of children for sexual purposes.
Investigators identified multiple online conversations in which the man allegedly accessed child exploitation material, distributed child exploitation material to other users, and solicited child exploitation material from individuals purporting to be children. It is further alleged that he engaged in sexually explicit online communications with children and participated in conduct intended to facilitate the sexual exploitation of young people.
Analysis of the communications and associated digital evidence allegedly revealed a pattern of offending involving the sharing of child exploitation material and the targeting of children through online platforms for sexual purposes.
The man was arrested on 21 October and was remanded in custody to reappear in the Innisfail Magistrates Court on 8 February 2027.
Detective Acting Inspector Les Lucas from Argos said the results demonstrate the Queensland Police Service’s ongoing commitment to identifying, disrupting, and prosecuting those who seek to exploit children online.
“These arrests reflect the strength of the partnerships that exist between Argos, local police, specialist investigators and the AFP-led JACET,” said Detective Acting Inspector Lucas.
“The exploitation of children is one of the most abhorrent crimes we investigate, causing significant and lasting trauma to victims. We will continue to target those who seek to harm our most vulnerable community members.
“These arrests serve as a reminder of the dangers children can face online and the importance of ongoing conversations about internet safety at home.
“Parents and caregivers should regularly speak with their children about their online activity and ensure they know they can turn to a trusted adult if something doesn’t feel right or they feel unsafe.”
Resources and advice
- www.danielslaw.qld.gov.au Daniel’s Law, a significant new measure designed to enhance community safety and give parents and carers greater access to information about certain reportable child sex offenders. Daniel’s Law gives Queenslanders another important tool to help keep young people safe. It complements education, supervision and other protective measures that together help build a safer Queensland. It empowers parents, carers and community members with greater awareness so they can make informed decisions to help safeguard children in their lives.
- Support services available – Useful information and support services | Daniel’s Law
- Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) 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.
- Help and support services for families and individuals
