Child abuse and sexual crime detectives have laid dozens of charges against a 21-year-old Logan man, including distributing, soliciting, and possessing child exploitation material.
Detectives first identified the Waterford West man earlier this year amid ongoing investigations into online distribution activity.
The man is allegedly linked to multiple online accounts and encrypted communications across several platforms.
The accused was arrested following a raid at a home on Muchow Road, Waterford West on July 23, where a number of digital devices were also seized.
He was initially charged with 17 offences and has been remanded in custody since then.
Today, police have announced a further 78 charges have been laid against the man, bringing the total number of charges to 95.
The new charges follow a lengthy examination into the seized devices, after police identified further alleged offending, including extensive online communications and material depicting the sexual exploitation and abuse of children.
The 21-year-old Waterford West man has been charged with 21 counts of soliciting child abuse material by using a carriage service, 55 counts of distributing child exploitation material using a hidden network or anonymising service, one count of possessing child exploitation material using a hidden network or anonymising service and one count of possessing tainted property, in addition to the 17 offences previously laid.
He remains behind bars and is due to reappear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court, 16 October.
A woman who was present at the Waterford West address during the raid was also arrested and charged with a number of drug trafficking offences.
Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Miles from the Townsville Child Abuse and Sexual Crimes Unit says specialist investigators would continue to pursue people who use technology to exploit children.
“Child exploitation material causes significant and lasting harm to children, and those who produce, distribute or access this material should understand that police will continue to pursue them, regardless of the platforms or technology they use,” Detective Senior Sergeant Miles says.
“This investigation demonstrates the commitment of specialist investigators to identifying people involved in this offending, gathering evidence and taking action to protect children from further harm,
“We encourage parents and carers to remain engaged with children about their online activity and to report any concerns about inappropriate or concerning online interactions to police.”
