A 27-year-old Penrith man is due to face Penrith Local Court today (Tuesday, 9 July 2019) after being charged with multiple child exploitation offences following a referral from the United States.
In December 2018, the NSW Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET), which comprises of members from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and New South Wales Police Force, received a referral from the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations regarding an online user who was purchasing and downloading videos containing child exploitation material with cryptocurrency.
Further investigations of the user’s cryptocurrency account identified links to a 27-year-old Penrith man.
On 5 July 2019, members of the NSW JACET executed a search warrant at the man’s residence.
Several electronic devices, including a mobile phone and hard drives, were seized. It will be alleged these devices were used to access and store child exploitation material.
The man was arrested and charged with the following offences:
- One count of use a carriage service to access child pornography material, contrary to section 474.1(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth.)
- Three counts of possess child abuse material, contrary to section 91H(2) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW)
Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child sexual exploitation are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
