A Glenwood man, 50, was today (4 November, 2022) sentenced to 17 months’ imprisonment by Penrith Local Court for possessing child abuse material.
The investigation into the man began in May, 2020 when he was identified through a nationwide investigation know as Operation Arkstone – an AFP-led, large-scale child protection operation.
AFP Eastern Command Child Protection investigators executed a search warrant at the man’s home on 8 May, 2020, where they seized a computer located in his garage.
A forensic examination of the computer revealed hundreds of images and videos containing child abuse material in folders titled ‘young boys’, ‘fun’ and ‘sweet guys’.
AFP Acting Superintendent Jeremy Staunton said that sadly, online child abuse material is not rare and remains a key focus for the AFP and other law enforcement agencies.
“Every arrest under Operation Arkstone has helped the AFP identify and charge more offenders and protect more children from these horrifying crimes,” Acting Supt Staunton said.
“Our message to online offenders remains unchanged. If you procure, access and transmit child abuse material, you will be found, arrested and prosecuted.”
The man pleaded guilty to possessing child abuse material, contrary to section 91H of the Crime Act 1990 (NSW).
He was sentenced to 17 months’ imprisonment with a non-parole period of nine months. He is eligible for parole in July 2023.
Operation Arkstone was launched in February 2020 when investigators from Eastern Command Child Protection Operations arrested a then 30-year-old Central Coast man for child abuse offences. The initial arrest followed a report to the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) from the United States’ National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
The digital trail from that first arrest in February 2020 has to date identified 56 child victims in Australia, who have been removed from harm. 26 Australian alleged offenders have been charged with 1359 offences.
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the 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 and exploitation are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.accce.gov.au/report. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
Research conducted by the ACCCE in 2020 revealed only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety.
An award-winning podcast launched last year by the ACCCE ‘Closing The Net’ is working to change that, showcasing that knowledge is power and that our only chance to help prevent this issue is if we bring a ‘whole-of-community’ response.
The podcast series offers valuable tips and advice on how to keep kids safe online. Listen to the Closing The Net podcast on your favourite streaming platform.
If you or someone you know are impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation there are support services available at www.accce.gov.au/support.
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at www.thinkuknow.org.au, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
