Cryptocurrency used to track Penrith man over child pornography

A Penrith man who used cryptocurrency to download child pornography faced Penrith Court today.

A Penrith man has been charged with child exploitation and pornography.

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A Penrith man who used cryptocurrency to download child pornography faced Penrith Court today.

James Wray, 27, appeared in Penrith Court after he was charged on July 5 with three counts of possess child abuse material and one count of use carriage service to access child pornography.

It is alleged that in December 2018 the NSW Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team received a referral from the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement — Homeland Security Investigations regarding an online user who was purchasing and downloading videos containing child exploitation material with cryptocurrency.

Further investigations of the user’s cryptocurrency account identified links to a 27-year-old Penrith man and on July 5 a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Electronic devices including a mobile phone were seized and it is alleged the devices were used to access child pornography.

Mr Wray was granted bail and faced court for the first time today.

The case was adjourned in order for briefings to take place.

The matter will next be heard on August 3 at Penrith Local Court, where it is possible Mr Wray will indicate a plea.