The AFP has charged a West Australian man with an additional 11 offences relating to the alleged transmission of child abuse material and animal cruelty.
The man is scheduled to appear in Perth Magistrates Court today (10 July, 2026).
The AFP initially charged the man, now 23, on 5 March, 2026, after finding alleged child abuse material and videos showing the man allegedly engaging in acts of animal cruelty. The material was found on electronic devices seized by the AFP during a search warrant.
Following further forensic examination of the seized devices, the man was charged via summons on 7 June, 2026, with eleven additional offences:
- Eight counts of transmitting child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(iii) of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 15 years’ imprisonment;
- One count of using a carriage service to cause child abuse material to be transmitted to himself, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(ii) of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 15 years’ imprisonment; and
- Two counts of animal cruelty, contrary to section 19(1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002 (WA). The maximum penalty for this offence is five years’ imprisonment and a $50,000 fine.
AFP Detective Acting Inspector Josh Gilmour said the AFP would continue to pursue offenders who preyed on children.
“Protecting children from abuse and exploitation is a priority for the AFP, and we are relentless in our efforts to identify, disrupt and hold offenders to account,” a/Insp Gilmour said.
“The AFP targets any individual involved in the production, distribution or possession of this deeply disturbing material.”
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.
