BY ISABEL EVERETT
A man and woman from the Hunter have been charged by the Australian Federal Police, for allegedly downloading and transmitting Child Abuse Material.
The AFP began an investigation after receiving a referral from United States Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) that an internet user believed to be based in Australia was transmitting child abuse material over social media messaging app, Kik.
Investigators identified a 22-year-old man living in Charlestown as the alleged user of the account and a search warrant was executed at his home on November 6.
Following further investigations officers executed a second search warrant at a home in East Maitland later that same evening, where a 22-year-old woman was arrested.
The 22-year-old man appeared in Belmont Local Court November 9, charged with:
- One count of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth); and
- One count of using a carriage service for child abuse material contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
He has been released on bail to reappear on 31 January 2021.
The 22-year-old woman appeared in Maitland Local Court on Wednesday charged with:
- Three counts of transmitting child abuse material using a carriage service contrary to section 474.22 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
- One count of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
- One count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material contrary to section 474.22 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth); and
- One count of using a carriage service to solicit child abuse material contrary to section 474.22 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
The potential maximum penalty for the offences is 15 years’ imprisonment.
Detective Acting Inspector Matthew Ciantar said the arrests were an example of how one piece of information could uncover a wider network sharing child abuse material.
“These arrests show how vital it is for the AFP to work with our international law enforcement partners and how diligent investigative work delivers results,” Detective Acting Inspector Ciantar said.
HSI Attaché to Australia, Adam Parks said online child exploitation is a global problem that requires a global response.
“When our investigations in the U.S. uncover information pertaining to Australia, we are quick to alert AFP who pursue these offenders with a tenacity that should comfort all Australians while putting fear into the hearts of those who seek to exploit the vulnerable,” Mr Parks said.
Officers Arrest a 22-year-old Charlestown man last week
