Plea deal for Hobart man facing dozens of charges under national online child abuse material sting

A plea deal is currently being negotiated for a Hobart man facing dozens of criminal charges under Operation Arkstone, a massive, Australia-wide online child abuse material sting.

Christopher Patrick Farrell leaves the Hobart Magistrate Court, charged with child abuse material offences under the massive, Australia-wide, Operation Arkstone.

A plea deal is currently being negotiated for a Hobart man facing dozens of criminal charges under a massive, Australia-wide online child abuse material sting.

Christopher Patrick Farrell, 31, last year pleaded not guilty to 46 counts of using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material after his arrest under the Australian Federal Police-led Operation Arkstone last year.

Mr Farrell, who is currently in custody, also previously pleaded not guilty to a further 19 charges related to accessing, causing the transmission, soliciting and possessing child abuse material.

Hobart man Christopher Patrick Farrell has been charged with child abuse material offences under the massive, Australia-wide, Operation Arkstone.

Mr Farrell appeared in the Supreme Court of Tasmania on Monday, with Justice Stephen Estcourt hearing a plea offer had been made.

Defence barrister Dinesh Loganathan said he needed time to speak with Mr Farrell before the matter could be progressed.

Under Operation Arkstone, dozens of Australian men were charged with viewing, sending or receiving child abuse material, with some also charged with sexual abuse or assault.

Australian Federal Police alleged its large-scale sting revealed a “predatory network” of alleged perpetrators who would take videos and photographs of themselves abusing children, then swap the content on social media platforms.

Mr Farrell will return to court on September 8.

Follow @ambervwilson