AFP and Victoria Police swoop to arrest alleged child sex fiend
An alleged child sex fiend has been charged by federal police after he was accused of making arrangements to travel to the UK to have sex with a child.
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An Altona North man has faced a Melbourne court accused of arranging to travel to the United Kingdom to have sex with a child.
Mario Kriska, 42, who was arrested by federal and Victorian police on Thursday, could face up to 15 years in jail if he is found guilty.
Mr Kriska, wearing a Batman T-shirt, faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court for a brief administrative hearing on Friday.
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Officers from the Victorian Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team, comprising members of Victoria Police and the Australian Federal Police, raided Mr Kriska’s home and seized a mobile phone which they say had child exploitation material on it.
The JACET began investigating after receiving a referral from British police.
“Police will allege that the man was working to travel overseas to the child, with the intent to engage in sexual exploitation activity,” an AFP spokesman said.
Mr Kriska has been charged with procuring a child to engage in sexual activity outside Australia and with knowingly possessing child pornography.
The court heard he was suffering from depression and an acquired brain injury.
Because of the volume of computer and mobile phone material that has to be analysed, police were granted extra time to compile a brief of evidence against Mr Kriska.
The British child, who has already been spoken to by the UK authorities, will also have to be questioned by Victorian detectives.
The court heard that Mr Kriska had been on bail at the time of his arrest.
He is due to face court once again in May.
Members of the public who have any information about people who are involved in child sexual exploitation are urged to contact Crime Stoppers by telephoning 1800 333 000 or by visiting the website crimestoppers.com.au