Matthew Michael Beer, 32, to stand trial for alleged possession of child abuse material

An international investigation that allegedly turned up child abuse material will form part of a District Court trial.

Matthew Michael Beer, 32, will stand trial for alleged child exploitation material offences. Picture: Leah Smith

A northern suburbs man will face trial to argue he did not possess any child exploitation material allegedly located by SA’s elite child protection task force.

On Thursday, 32-year-old Matthew Michael Beer, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court before Magistrate Simon Smart to answer the charge against him.

Mr Smart read two charges to the Edinburgh man, who responded only with “not guilty” from the dock.

Mr Beer has pleaded not guilty to possessing or controlling child exploitation material. Picture: Leah Smith

Mr Beer has pleaded not guilty to two counts of possessing or controlling child abuse material using carriage service.

The 32-year-old was initially arrested by the joint anti child exploitation team (JACET) – a joint operation by SA Police and the AFP – in June 2024 following investigations sparked by Australian Border Force reports.

In a separate investigation, ABF officers allegedly found child abuse material on “several” of Mr Beer’s electronic devices, including a laptop and computer hard drive.

On those devices, JACET detectives allegedly located numerous videos and images of “sexually explicit child abuse material”.

If found guilty at trial, Mr Beer could face a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.

The matter will return before the District Court in May.

Originally published as Matthew Michael Beer, 32, to stand trial for alleged possession of child abuse material