Sydney Man Charged For Accessing Child Abuse Material

Investigations into the man, 28, began in April, 2026, after the AFP received intelligence relating to an online user’s cloud storage account being suspended due to the suspected presence of child abuse material.

Investigators allegedly linked the email addresses associated with the account to the Campbelltown man.

The AFP executed a search warrant at a Menangle Park property on 21 May, 2026, with officers seizing three mobile phones for further forensic analysis.

It will be alleged one of the phones contained 259 images depicting child abuse material.

The man was charged today with one count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). He was refused police bail to appear in court today.

He faces a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment if convicted.

AFP Detective Superintendent Luke Needham said accessing child abuse material was not a victimless crime and perpetuated the demand for more content to be created.

“Anyone who accesses, possesses or transmits any form of this grotesque material is breaking the law and will be prosecuted,” Det-Supt Needham said.

“The children depicted in child exploitation material are real people, and offenders who possess this kind of abhorrent material contribute to lifelong trauma they may suffer.”

The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (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 are urged to contact the ACCCE. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.

If you or someone you know is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available.

Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at the ThinkUKnow website, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.