Man, 36, on remand after being arrested and charged for child abuse offences in Central Australia
The US National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children tipped off the Australian Federal Police about the man’s alleged offending, leading to his arrest in Central Australia. Read the details.
A Red Centre resident is facing more than a decade behind bars after being charged with child abuse offences – with his alleged offending brought to light by a tip off from the US.
The 36-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday in a remote community, and made his first appearance in the Alice Springs Local Court on Wednesday.
NT Police officers from the joint anti-child exploitation team arrested the man after the Australian Federal Police (AFP) received a tip-off about the man’s alleged offending from the US National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children.
During the arrest, the man’s mobile phone was seized, the AFP said.
“Forensic examination of the phone allegedly located child abuse material files and chats with other users on the messaging app,” the AFP said.
NT Police Detective Sergeant Mark Cronin said “child exploitation has no place in our community, and we will continue to pursue those responsible”.
AFP Superintendent Greg Davis said the federal policing agency would continue to work cooperatively with other policing agencies to keep kids safe from harm.
“Our message is crystal clear – if you are involved in these awful crimes against children, you should expect a knock on the door,” he said.
He has been charged with one court of using a carriage service to solicit child abuse material, and one count of possessing child abuse material through a carriage service.
Each count carries a maximum penalty of 15 years behind bars.
Due to the nature of his offending, he cannot be named, due to statutory suppression laws in the NT.
In order to not identify the man, this masthead also cannot name the community he was arrested in.
The man has been remanded in custody and his matter will be back in the Alice Springs Local Court on October 29.
Originally published as Man, 36, on remand after being arrested and charged for child abuse offences in Central Australia
