A NSW man is expected to appear in Grafton Local Court today (7 January 2025) charged with two counts of possessing child abuse material.
AFP investigators allegedly identified the man, 21, during an investigation into a report regarding child abuse material being available for purchase online.
A search warrant was executed at the man’s Clarence Valley home on Wednesday, 18 December 2024, with investigators allegedly finding child abuse material on electronic devices.
The devices were seized for further forensic examination.
The man was charged with two counts of possessing child abuse material accessed or obtained using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 15 years’ imprisonment.
The man was granted police bail and is scheduled to reappear in Grafton Local Court today (7 January 2025).
AFP Detective Acting Inspector Emmanuel Tsardoulias said the arrest was another reminder of the prevalence of online child abuse.
“Our investigators will continue to work tirelessly in 2025 alongside our partners to protect children, wherever they live,” Det-A/Insp Tsardoulias said.
“Law enforcement is committed to ensuring ensure anyone who tries to harm children or seeks to profit from this heinous crime is identified and brought before the courts.
“If you have information that could help law enforcement, please contact the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) at https://www.accce.gov.au/report.”
