Rutherford man arrested on child abuse material charges after national taskforce investigation
A man has been charged with child abuse material offences after an investigation which began following a report from the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children in the United States.
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A national investigative unit which specialises in child exploitation has swooped on the home of a Rutherford man accused of possessing and sending child abuse material following an international operation.
The suspect, a 54-year-old man, was arrested last Thursday and charged with a range of child abuse charges, which carry up to 15 years’ jail.
Police will allege that the man used at least one mobile phone to share child abuse material online.
The investigation began following a report from the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children in the United States.
The matter was referred to the Australian Federal Police’s joint anti child exploitation team, before officers swooped last Thursday.
The charges laid against the man include possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service; using a carriage service to access child abuse material; and, using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material.
Police seized two phones during a search warrant on the man’s Rutherford home. The phones underwent forensic examination.
“Police will allege the man used at least one of these devices to share child abuse material online,’’ the unit’s team leader, Detective Sergeant Jarryd Dunbar, said in a statement.
The suspect was granted bail to appear before Maitland Local Court next month.
Detective Sergeant Dunbar said the sharing of child abuse material online was an offence with ongoing repercussions for victims.
“Each time this material is shared across internet forums, it amplifies the abuse these children have been subjected to,” Detective Sergeant Dunbar said.
“[We] will continue to investigate the perpetrators behind this type of offending which objectifies children, and ensure they are brought before the courts.”
Members of the public who have any information about people involved in the possession or sharing of child exploitation material are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
They can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter
Child Exploitation via the report abuse button at www.accce.gov.au/report.