CW – Child Abuse: A Queensland man has been arrested after police discovered over 1,000 child abuse images on his computer.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) began investigating the man after he posted abuse material on a secure messaging network.
The 53-year-old has also been charged over a “sexualised” online chat with a 14-year-old girl.
Queensland man arrested
In a joint operation between Queensland police and the AFP, the man’s central Queensland home was searched before his arrest on Wednesday.
Anti-child exploitation officers seized several electronic devices containing over 1,000 files of child abuse material from the property.
It’s believed some of the images contained children known to the man. Support has been offered to those children and their families.
Next steps
The charges against the man include possession of child abuse material and indecent treatment of a child.
If found guilty, the man faces up to 15 years imprisonment on one charge and up to 14 years on the other. He’s been released on bail and is due to face court again next month.
AFP Detective Inspector Mary Bolton said: “Every child deserves to feel safe… If you take part in this abhorrent trade in innocent lives be warned that everything you do online leaves a trace”.
Bravehearts Child Sexual Abuse hotline: 1800 272 831
8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday
