Move FM Regional news

ADELAIDE, South Australia – A 37-year-old man from the eastern Adelaide suburb of Heathpool faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday, charged with a series of child abuse offenses following an international investigation into alleged online exploitation, including live-streaming.

Investigators allege the man used social media platforms to communicate with victims and facilitators overseas, engaging minors in sexually explicit activity online.

He has been charged with four counts of possessing child abuse material.  Each offence carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

The man was arrested on Wednesday after officers from the South Australian Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (SA JACET) executed a search warrant at his  home. Authorities say the operation was launched in response to intelligence received from a UK law enforcement agency regarding a user allegedly live-streaming sexually explicit content involving children. 

During the search of the man’s home, police reportedly uncovered hundreds of images and videos containing child abuse material across multiple electronic devices, including mobile phones and hard drives. These items were seized for further forensic examination.

Detective Superintendent Melinda Adam of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) praised the collaboration between South Australian and international agencies.

“The AFP and its law enforcement partners will never stop fighting to bring online predators to justice and protect children from these horrific crimes,” she said Friday.

SA JACET is a joint taskforce comprising officers from the AFP and South Australia Police. The investigation is being supported by the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE), a national body focused on coordinating efforts to combat online child abuse.

Authorities are urging anyone with information about child abuse to contact the ACCCE. In emergencies, the public should call police on 000.

Support services are available for those affected by child sexual abuse or online exploitation. Parents and carers seeking advice on how to protect children online can visit ThinkUKnow.org.au – an AFP-led education initiative.