A two-year effort by Australian law enforcement and the United States Homeland Security
Investigations (HSI) has resulted in 16 people in Australia being charged with 738 child exploitation
offences.
Starting in 2018, matters were regularly referred to Australian authorities by HSI following their
investigations into an online web site where users paid to access child abuse material.
As part of this operation, the WA-JACET team identified five persons of interest and executed five
search warrants at homes in Bentley, Crawley, Karratha, Morley and Withers, seizing numerous
computers, and electronic devices.
Forensic analysis of the devices identified numerous videos and images classified as child exploitation
material.
Four men aged 24, 59, 60 and 61 were charged with Possession of Child Exploitation Material. Two
have been sentenced to jail terms and two are still progressing through the WA courts.
The WA-JACET comprises members of the Western Australia Police Force and Australian Federal
Police.
The Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Teams across the country are Australia's frontline in tackling,
disrupting and prosecuting this insidious industry that causes significant harm to the most vulnerable
in our community - our children.
