46-year-old man charged with multiple counts of rape by JACET detectives

SAPOL’s elite unit tasked with preventing child exploitation has charged a 46-year-old southern suburbs man with multiple counts of rape and distributing invasive images across the internet.

A 46-year-old southern suburbs man has been charged with multiple counts of rape and distributing invasive images across the internet, following an investigation by an elite task-force.

On Tuesday, detectives from the South Australian Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET), arrested and charged a man for 10 counts of rape and 16 counts of distributing invasive images on various applications across the internet.

Detectives, Carla Corbitt, Steve Hegarty, Jordan Dowling, Brendan Martinovic, and Joe Barry in Adelaide, who rescue children from pedophiles, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. Picture: Matt Loxton

The arrest was a result of an ongoing investigation, which saw the man initially arrested in December for four counts of distributing an invasive image.

Following the arrest late last year, police will allege that JACET investigators conducted further forensic analysis on electronic devices of the suspect that was seized.

The man has since been bailed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrate’s Court in April.

JACET, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. Picture: Matt Loxton

Investigations Manager of JACET, Detective Senior Sergeant Graham Tomkins said the initial arrest was just the “tip of an iceberg”, as forensic analysts worked “tirelessly” on the case.

“The investigators work tirelessly in an effort to ensure that all electronic devices seized during our investigations are reviewed to their fullest extent,” he said.

“Our investigators are expertly trained in identifying material that will be alleged as criminal in nature.

“The initial arrest is sometimes just the tip of an iceberg, all child exploitation and sexual offences are serious, and everyone is entitled to protection under the law.”

JACET is a taskforce combining Australian Federal Police and SA Police.

Originally published as 46-year-old man charged with multiple counts of rape by JACET detectives