McMinns Lagoon man, 20, charged with alleged online child abuse crimes after US tip off
A Northern Territory man has faced court after United States intelligence uncovered his alleged online activity uploading child abuse material to social media.
Police & Courts
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A Northern Territory man has faced court after United States intelligence uncovered his alleged online activity uploading child abuse material to social media.
The 20 year old was charged with online child grooming and possessing and transmitting online child abuse material after a police raid on his McMinns Lagoon home on Thursday.
In a statement the Australian Federal Police said the investigation began when the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) received a report from the US National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about an online user in the Territory uploading child abuse material to social media platforms.
AFP allegedly linked the 20 year old to the online activity.
During the search of his home, investigators allegedly found child abuse material on electronic devices.
Initial examination of a mobile phone allegedly identified several sexually explicit videos, including those involving a child, police allege.
Further forensic analysis of the devices is ongoing.
The man faced Darwin Local Court on Friday charged with three Commonwealth offences; possessing child abuse material accessed or obtained using a carriage service, transmitting child abuse material using a carriage service, and using a carriage service to groom persons under 16 years of age.
The maximum penalty for each of the offences is 15 years’ imprisonment.
The alleged offender was remanded and will return to court on July 22.
AFP Superintendent Greg Davis said the AFP and its law enforcement partners were committed to protecting children.
“Our investigators work tirelessly to identify offenders and ensure anyone who tries to harm them is brought before the courts,” he said.
NT Police Force Senior Sergeant Toby Wilson said the exploitation of children was a horrific crime.
“Individuals who produce, distribute and possess child abuse material fuel that harm, and those involved will be pursued relentlessly,” Mr Wilson said.
“The Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team is committed to protecting children and holding offenders accountable.”
Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE.
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