A 25-year-old Brisbane man was remanded in custody yesterday (Wednesday, 15 September 2021) after being charged with child abuse-related offences following an Australian Federal Police operation.
The AFP Child Protection Triage Unit received a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in June 2021 about an individual located in Australia uploading child abuse material to the Google platform.
Investigators from the AFP Child Protection Operations team in Brisbane linked a 25-year-old Sunnybank man to the Google account.
A search warrant was executed at the man’s home yesterday, with investigators seizing two mobile phones, a laptop computer and external hardrive. The devices will now be subject to further forensic examination.
The man was arrested and charged with possessing child abuse material obtained or accessed by a carriage service contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth); and accessing child abuse material using a carriage service contrary to section 474.22 of the Criminal Code (Cth).
The maximum penalty for these offences is 15 years’ imprisonment.
The man was refused bail and is scheduled to appear before the Brisbane Magistrates Court today (Thursday, 16 September 2021).
“This arrest should serve as a warning that law enforcement is committed to fighting child sexual abuse and bringing those who commit these offences to justice,” Detective Sergeant Smith said.
Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online.
If you or someone you know are impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation there are support services available.
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protection children online can be found at ThinkUKnow, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
