A Queensland man is expected to appear in court today (9 May) charged with three online child abuse related offences.
The Brisbane Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET) charged the man, 25, on 4 May 2023, after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers selected him for a baggage examination when he arrived at Brisbane International Airport on a flight from the Philippines.
During the examination of the man's baggage, a mobile phone he was carrying was allegedly identified as containing child abuse material.
The man was remanded in custody to reappear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court today.
A search warrant was later executed at the man's Harristown home on 4 May, with investigators seizing electronic devices for further forensic examination.
AFP Leading Senior Constable Stacey Ward said the charge demonstrated the AFP's commitment to investigate and charge offenders believed to be involved in child exploitation and sexual abuse.
"This arrest should serve as a warning that law enforcement is dedicated to fighting child sexual abuse and bringing those who commit these offences before the court.
"Our investigators are relentless in their pursuit of anyone creating or sharing child abuse material."
ABF Aviation Travellers South East Queensland Superintendent John Ikin said officers at the border are well trained and dedicated to keeping the community safe from individuals who are involved with the exploitation of children.
"Identifying this type of material is sadly not uncommon in the line of duty for an ABF officer, and highlights to the community the critical work we do every day at the border," Superintendent Ikin said.
"Our people are highly trained at detecting this type of content and are proud to protect Australians, and by extension the international community.
"That's what makes the work of our officers at the Australian border so critical."
The man was charged with:
- One count of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed by using a carriage service contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth); and
- Two counts of using a carriage service for sexual activity with a person under 16 years of age, contrary to section 474.25A of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for these offences is 15 years' imprisonment.
The AFP, ABF and their 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 at www.accce.gov.au/report. 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 at www.accce.gov.au/support.
Research conducted by the ACCCE in 2020 revealed only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety. Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at www.thinkuknow.org.au, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
