Police charge man with online child exploitation material

A 60-year-old Craigie man accused of using the internet to have sexually explicit conversations with young boys has been charged by the WA Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (WA-JACET).

On Saturday 2 May 2020 law enforcement authorities from the USA alerted Australian law enforcement authorities to the man’s online activities. Detectives from WA-JACET executed a search warrant at the man’s Craigie residence the same day, arresting him and seizing electronic devices.

It will be alleged the man engaged in conversations of a sexual nature with a 13-year-old boy between 12 April 2020 and 2 May 2020 and that he sent the boy inappropriate material. It will be further alleged the man engaged in conversations of a sexual nature with a second 13-year-old boy between 15 October 2019 and 30 October 2019 and sent him inappropriate material.

The seized electronic devices were examined and it will be alleged photos and videos, including some depicting children engaged in sexual activity with adults, was located.

The Craigie man was charged with ‘Possessing Child Exploitation Material’ and two counts of ‘Intent to expose a person believed to be under 16 years to indecent matter’. He is next due to appear before the Perth Magistrates Court on Friday, 5 June 2020.

The maximum penalties for these offences are 7 and 5 years’ imprisonment, respectively.

The WA-JACET comprises officers from the WA Police Force and Australian Federal Police. The Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Teams across the country are Australia’s frontline in tackling, disrupting and prosecuting this insidious industry that causes significant harm to the most vulnerable in our community – our children.

Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child exploitation material are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au

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