Northern Territory Police and the Australian Federal Police arrested two men in relation to child abuse material in Alice Springs last week.
Detectives from the NT Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team and the Alice Springs Criminal Investigation Branch executed a search warrant on a 25-year-old man's residence in Gillen on Wednesday. The man's mobile phone allegedly contained child abuse material.
He was arrested at the location and since been charged with:
- 2 x Possess or control child abuse material
- 1 x Plan to engage in sexual activity with a person under 16
- 1 x Access child abuse material via a carriage service
- 2 x Use carriage service to Groom child under 16
- 2 x Fail to comply with reporting conditions
He was remanded to appear in Alice Springs Local Court on 2 February 2023, with further charges expected.
Detectives executed another unrelated search warrant on a residence in Eastside on Thursday, where a 17-year-old was arrested after analysis of his electronic devices found child abuse material.
He was charged with:
- 3 x Access child abuse material via carriage service
He was bailed to appear in court on 16 January 2023.
Detective Sergeant Mark Cronin said "These arrests are the result of the collaborative work between law enforcement agencies to protect children from abuse. Anyone committing these offences needs to be aware that eventually, we will catch up with you.
"The Northern Territory JACET will continue to work with our national and international partners to ensure the safety of all children, no matter where the offenders are located.
AFP spokesperson Superintendent Mal Bickford said this arrest demonstrated the success of law enforcement partnerships and the AFP, together with its state and territory partners, remained committed to protecting our community's most vulnerable - our children.
"Anyone who views this type of material is committing a crime,'' he said.
"Our message to online offenders is that if you procure, access and transmit child abuse material, you will be found and prosecuted." Superintendent Bickford said.
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 or https://crimestoppers.com.au/.
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."
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.
