A Cranebrook man has fronted Penrith Local Court today charged with online child abuse material offences.
The Autralian Federal Police’s Child Protection Operations team charged the man, 47, yesterday at his Cranebrook home.
The AFP allegedly identified the man following a report from the United States’ National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about a user uploading child abuse material online.
A search warrant was executed at the man’s home yesterday, with investigators allegedly locating child abuse material on a mobile phone and laptop. The electronic devices will be subject to further forensic examination.
The man was charged with:
- Two counts of possessing child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- One count of using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
The maximum penalty for each offence is 15 years’ imprisonment.
The man was refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court today.
AFP Detective Acting Inspector Emmanuel Tsardoulias said the AFP worked closely with both domestic and international partners to help protect children.
“The shared goal of law enforcement is to protect children, wherever they live, and to ensure anyone who tries to harm them is identified and brought before the courts,” Tsardoulias said.
“Our message to offenders has not changed. If you procure, access or transmit child abuse material, you will be found, arrested and prosecuted.”
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