Ten charged over child abuse material in wave of arrests
Police have charged ten people after a string of arrests targeting child porn networks across Melbourne and country Victoria.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Ten people — one with more than 300,000 child abuse files — have been charged after a statewide wave of arrests.
Detectives from a joint Victoria Police-Australian Federal Police (JACET) taskforce carried out 30 warrants targeting “peer-to-peer” child porn networks in Melbourne and country Victoria.
The 10 charged are facing state and commonwealth offences including possessing, accessing and making available child abuse material.
Firearms and other weapons charges were also laid in the recent operation.
Among those charged were A 52-year-old man from the southeastern suburbs allegedly found with 317,000 alleged child abuse files.
A 76-year-old man from country who faces counts of possessing child abuse material and accessing child abuse material.
A man, 26, from the northeastern suburbs who will face court over possessing child abuse material.
A 48-year-old male from the northern suburbs who faces one count each of possessing child abuse material and distributing child abuse material.
A 38-year-old Langwarrin man who faces counts of possessing prohibited weapons after imitation firearms and other weapons were located during the warrant.
The firearms licence of a Mooroolbark man, 40, was suspended due to unsafe storage.
whose firearms licence was also suspended due to unsafe storage.
Seventeen more people have been interviewed and released with the likelihood they will be charged on summons.
Five investigations were referred to interstate authorities.
Police said JACET officers worked with specialist investigators within the Finance and Cyber Crime Division to track those hosting and sharing child abuse material.
They also helped analyse electronic devices seized under warrant.
Police expect to make more searches in coming months.
Detective Superintendent Jane Welsh said police had seen an increasing amount of child abuse material being shared on P2P networks and other platforms throughout the pandemic.
“Our focus is to identify those involved at every level, regardless of whether it’s production, sharing, or viewing child abuse material”
“The people we have identified so far are wide ranging in age and occupation. The youngest is in their 20s the oldest is 76, and they’re from right across the state”
“With more people online, there’s also been more opportunities for unwanted contact.
“All young people must be protected from online offending, regardless of their age.
“Open and honest conversations between children and care-givers is one of the most valuable tools for online safety.
“Don’t wait until something happens to have these discussions, we strongly urge parents and carers to be proactive when speaking to young people about online safety and risks.”
Anyone with information about child abuse material can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppersvic.com.au
If you suspect a child is in immediate danger, contact triple zero (000) or your local police.
Notorious crim freed as magistrate says court order won’t stop him
A magistrate has made a shock decision to release a teen thug who has breached bail dozens of times and been charged with almost 400 offences, including home invasions, car thefts and robberies.
Police taser knife-wielding man in dramatic arrest in Coolaroo
Footage shows the moment a knife-wielding man is brought down in a car park in Melbourne’s north as officers used tasers while one bystander tried to stop the offender with a shopping trolley.