Sydney man to face court over child exploitation offences
A 28-year-old Earlwood man is scheduled to face court today after he was arrested by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for allegedly producing and sharing child exploitation material online.
In September 2018, the AFP received information from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) relating to a 28-year-old Australian male engaging in sexualised chat while exchanging child exploitation material (CEM) via a social media platform.
The AFP will allege the man was engaged in conversation with a group of like-minded individuals.
The information provided by HSI resulted in AFP members executing a search warrant on his residence in the Sydney suburb of Earlwood on 13 December 2018.
During the search warrant, AFP officers seized a number of electronic devices – mobile phones, computers and storage devices – containing child exploitation material.
The man was charged with the following three offences:
- One count of produce, disseminate or possess child abuse material contrary to section 91H (2) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW).
- One count of using a carriage service to transmit child pornography material contrary to section 474.19(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
- One count of using a carriage service to access child pornography material contrary to section 474.19(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
The man faces a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.
AFP Detective Sergeant Jarryd Dunbar acknowledged the AFP’s long-standing relationship with HSI.
“In our interconnected world, the importance of international collaboration among law enforcement is critical in stopping the exploitation of children and the harmful impact on the youngest members of the Australian community,” D/Sgt Dunbar said.
The man is scheduled to appear in Burwood Local Court this morning.
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.
THIS IS CHILD EXPLOITATION, NOT ‘CHILD PORNOGRAPHY’
Use of the phrase ‘child pornography’ actually benefits child sex abusers because:
- it indicates legitimacy and compliance on the part of the victim and therefore legality on the part of the abuser; and
- it conjures up images of children posing in ‘provocative’ positions, rather than suffering horrific abuse.
Every photograph captures an actual situation where a child has been abused. This is not pornography.
Media enquiries:
AFP National Media: (02) 6131 6333
Subscribe and receive email alerts
(link: https://www.afp.gov.au/news-media/media-releases) when new media releases are published.