This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and South Australia Police
A 28-year-old Adelaide man is expected to face court today (24 April) after the South Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (SA JACET) charged him for allegedly possessing child abuse material.
SA JACET launched an investigation after a report from the United States' National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about a South Australian Facebook user allegedly uploading child abuse material on multiple occasions.
On 12 March (2020), SA JACET investigators executed a search warrant at the 28-year-old's home in Adelaide's northern suburbs.
Police seized a number of devices that allegedly contain child abuse material. A forensic examination of the devices is ongoing.
The 28-year-old is expected to face Elizabeth Local Court for the first time today (24 April) charged with possession of child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for this offence is 15 years imprisonment.
Detective Superintendent Mark Wieszyk, officer-in-charge of the Public Protection Branch of the South Australia Police, said the SA JACET is a dedicated team of investigators that work closely together to combat child exploitation.
AFP Superintendent Investigations Gail McClure said the AFP's international partnerships are also vital for fighting the scourge of child abuse online.
"The AFP and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) received almost 17,000 reports of online child sexual exploitation last year and offences against children online are increasing," Superintendent McClure said.
"We work with international partners like NCMEC to share intelligence and identify those who access this vile material, as well as those who produce it.
"Children are being abused and degraded not just when the image is captured or a video made - the abuse continues as long as the content is shared.
"We are dedicated to keeping children safe and pursuing anyone who exploits them. Our commitment to this work is stronger than ever despite the challenging circumstances the world finds itself in as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic."
Members of the public who have any information about people involved in the possession or sharing of child exploitation material are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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.
