Queensland Police charges three Sunshine Coast men in relation to child abuse offences

Three Sunshine Coast men have been charged with separate child abuse offences after a police operation which targeted the possession and distribution child exploitation material. SEE THE VIDEO

Three Sunshine Coast men have been charged in relation to child abuse offences, including one who was alleged to have sexually exploited a child.

Detectives from Argos and North Coast Child Protection Investigation Units charged the three men following an operation targeting the possession and distribution of child exploitation material.

Over five days detectives executed a series of search warrants and seized several electronic items and digital evidence.

A 30-year-old Sunshine Coast man was charged with 43 child abuse related offences following the execution of a search warrant where it is alleged the man was sexually exploiting a child and was using encrypted platforms to access and possess child exploitation material.

The man has been charged with multiple counts of rape, indecent treatment of a child and making and distributing child exploitation material and the aggravated networking offence.

He is remanded in custody and expected to appear at Gympie Magistrates Court on January 17 next year.

The child has been rescued from any further harm.

Investigations are continuing.

A 49-year-old Eumundi man was charged with possess, use carriage service to access and to distribute child exploitation material.

He is due to appear in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on 25 November 2021.

A 25-year-old Yandina man was charged with two counts of the possessing child exploitation material.

He is due to appear in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on 26 November 2021.

Detective acting inspector Cameron Burke of the Child Abuse and Sexual Crime Group’s Argos team said police would continue to target offenders involved in the sexual exploitation of children and the possession or distribution of child exploitation material.

“These children are re-victimised every time someone downloads and shares an image. If you view or upload these images you are contributing to the horrific abuse of children,” Detective Acting Inspector Burke said.