Jareth Wade Geason sentenced for using carriage service for child abuse material
A Tasmanian man, who had 1000+ child abuse images on USBs and had depraved conversations over Telegram about his desire to harm children as young as two, has been sentenced.
Hobart & South
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A pedophile gamer, who had 1000+ child abuse images on USB drives and had depraved conversations over Telegram about his desire to harm children as young as two, has been sentenced in the Hobart Supreme Court.
Jareth Wade Geason, 31, has been sentenced to three years behind bars, but could be released in two.
Geason pleaded guilty to five counts of using a carriage service for child abuse material and one count of possession of child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service for offences dating back to September 2021.
In sentencing last week, Acting Justice Shane Marshall said Geason had sent 141 images via the messaging app, Telegram, to several users over the course of his offending.
He said the images depicted the abuse of “actual pre-pubescent children”, both male and female.
Justice Marshall said Geason had also transmitted text based child abuse material.
“The text based material involved depraved conversations between Mr Geason and PTo about various matters, including having sexual intercourse with a two year old child,” Justice Marshall said.
On September 2023, Geason possessed 753 images and two videos of child abuse material of his laptop, 11 on his iPad and 1100 images and a video across six USB memory sticks.
Justice Marshall said Geason had admitted using his laptop and phone to search for abuse material and sharing material across three platforms.
“When interviewed by the police, Mr Geason said that he understood the child abuse material to be “sex and stuff” of children,” Justice Marshall said.
“He said he had an interest in child abuse material for about five years before he was apprehended and he was unable to stop that interest.
“He understood that it was illegal to posses and transmit child abuse material but did not think he would ever be caught.”
Justice Marshall said Geason had no prior criminal history and was casually employed as a kitchen hand at two restaurants.
He said Geason had trouble socialising and making friends and that his main social interactions were online, including gaming.
He said Geason had never had an intimate partner or sexual experiences with another person.
In June this year, a forensic and clinical psychologist said Geason’s offending was due to pedophilic disorder.
In sentencing Geason, Justice Marshall said the court needed to “denounce the conduct, provide just punishment and protect the community, especially children.”
“The offending is extremely serious,” Justice Marshall said.
“It only has to be recounted for one to be horrified by it. To say so much is necessarily an understatement.”
Geason was sentenced to three years behind bars, backdated to September 19, but he could be released after two for good behaviour.
He’s also required to complete the Sex Offender’s Program, if he is suitable for the program, upon his release.
His name will also be added to the Community Offender Register for two years.