Tasmanian man charged for accessing significant amounts of child exploitation and bestiality material

A 29-year-old Tasmanian man has today been charged with child exploitation and bestiality offences after authorities executed a search warrant at a Tasman Peninsula property this morning (Thursday, 10 December 2020).

The Tasmanian Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET), comprising Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Tasmania Police members, charged the man with accessing and possessing significant amounts of child abuse material.

The Tasmanian JACET executed the search warrant at the man’s Tasman Peninsula home following reports to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) via the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in the United States.

Investigators seized two mobile phones and a laptop computer from the property for further forensic analysis.

Folders on one of the devices were named ‘peda-files’, which police will allege in court contained significant amounts of child exploitation material.

It will further be alleged in court that the man uploaded and shared child abuse and bestiality material to social media groups online.

The man has been charged with the following offences:

  • Using a carriage service to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth)
  • Possessing child abuse material accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth)
  • Possessing bestiality product, contrary to section 74 of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Enforcement Act 1995 (Tas)

He is expected to face the Hobart Magistrates Court this afternoon (10 December 2020).

AFP Detective Senior Constable Dannii Campbell said the AFP and its JACET partner Tasmania Police are committed to keeping vulnerable children safe.

“Today’s arrest is testament to our resolute efforts to ensure children aren’t re-victimised by those seeking to derive disgusting enjoyment from their suffering,” she said.

“The Tasmania JACET will continue to work together to stay a step ahead of this vile industry. We will continue to track down and prosecute those who seek to bring harm to any child.”

The ACCCE is committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and is at the centre of a collaborative national approach to combatting organised child abuse.

The Centre brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into child sexual abuse and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.

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.

You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the Report Abuse button at www.accce.gov.au/report.

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