NSW Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (NSW JACET) officers yesterday charged a 79-year-old Cranebrook man with more than 200 child exploitation offences.
The man is due to appear before Penrith Local Court today to face 217 counts of producing, possessing and transmitting child exploitation material. It will be alleged in court the man produced material featuring a female child who is known to him. Police arrested the man after executing a search warrant at a Cranebrook home yesterday (Thursday 18 July 2019). A number of electronic devices were seized, including:
- A desktop computer;
- Mobile telephone; and
- Numerous storage devices containing terabytes of data.
These items will be subject to further examination by digital forensic experts and further charges are likely.
The NSW JACET, comprising of members from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and NSW Police, began investigating the 79-year-old man following a tip-off from a law enforcement partner.
AFP NSW JACET Team Leader Jarryd Dunbar said the welfare of child victim remains the priority, particularly in this situation where a child had been exploited by a trusted adult.
“Our main priority in any referral we receive is the welfare of any children potentially involved – it was the reason we acted quickly to work up the initial referral in this matter, remove the child from harm and why we called upon the expertise of our Digital Forensic Team and other support areas, as well as our partner agencies including the New South Wales Police Force – Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad,” he said.
“Investigators will now focus on ensuring the alleged offender is put before the court and brought to account for any criminal actions.
“We will allege in court the man employed a number of tools and applications in an attempt to disguise his activity in the on-line environment. The AFP works closely with our domestic and international law enforcement partners to seek out and stop persons who choose to exploit and offend against children.”
The man was charged with:
- 213 counts of producing child exploitation material, contrary to section 91H(2) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW);
- One count of use a carriage service to transmit child pornography material, contrary to section 474.19 of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- Three counts of possessing child pornography material, contrary to section 91H of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW).
The maximum penalties for these offences are 10 years (NSW offences) and 15 years (Cth offences).
The child is currently in the care of family.
Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child sexual exploitation are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
