Sam Piccinelli: Whalan man allegedly found with child abuse images
Australian Federal Police swooped on a 24-year-old following a tip-off from authorities in the United States. It is alleged they found 6800 files of child abuse material stored on Google Drive.
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A Whalan man who allegedly shared thousands of child abuse images online has been released on bail.
Sam Piccinelli, 24, was arrested yesterday after the Australian Federal Police raided his home in Bulolo Dr following a tip-off from the United States.
He faces one charge of possessing child abuse material using a carriage service after being arrested and taken to Mt Druitt Police Station on April 7.
Police allege the man stored and shared 6800 files of child abuse material using a Google Drive account.
AFP officers began investigating after receiving a report from the US-based National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children.
Police seized several electronic devices in yesterday’s raid.
He was refused bail to face Penrith Local Court today, where he was granted strict bail to face court again on June 5.
He has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The AFP’s counter child exploitation centre commander Paula Hudson said the sharing of child abuse material online fuelled demand, especially at a time when people are spending more time on the internet.
“Despite the current COVID-19 crisis the AFP and the (counter child exploitation centre), as well as state and territory partners, will not lose focus on combating child exploitation,” Ms Hudson said.
“Our officers are still working diligently to identify and prosecute those who prey on our children. Our work to put a stop to the sexual exploitation of children, be it online or physical abuse, will not stop for anything.”