Arrest for child abuse, Gold Coast

Argos detectives have charged a 54-year-old man with one count of possession of child abuse material (CEM), three counts of soliciting child abuse material by means of a conveyance service, one count of manipulating a person to facilitate sexual activity with a child outside Australia, and one count of manipulating a child to engage in sexual activity outside Australia.

The man was arrested on Tuesday evening, August 27, after executing a search warrant in Pimpama.

It is alleged that the man was in possession of CEM and used encrypted messaging applications to manipulate children in the Philippines into sexual activities.

The man is a Department of Education employee who is affiliated with a school on the Gold Coast. There are no allegations that the man’s offences are related to his work and there is currently no evidence that children at the school have been victimised.

The investigation is the result of a joint investigation between the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and the Australian Federal Police, led by the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE).

The man was refused bail by police and has been remanded in custody to appear in Southport District Court today, August 28.

Argos is still investigating the full extent of the alleged violation.

The Ministry of Education is supporting the police investigation and providing ongoing support to the school community.

A priority of the QPS is to prevent and proactively detect online child exploitation, whether in Australia or anywhere else in the world. To achieve this goal, the QPS works with the community, child protection services and national and international law enforcement agencies.

Argos Detective Inspector Glen Donaldson said Argos and the AFP work together daily at the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) to tackle serious criminals operating across various online platforms.

“The problem of Live Online Child Sexual Abuse (LOCSA) of vulnerable children around the world is a significant concern and remains a priority for law enforcement across Australia.

“This arrest underscores the Queensland Police Service’s commitment to protecting vulnerable children and bringing the perpetrators of these disturbing crimes to justice.

“Law enforcement continues to share intelligence on a daily basis and work together to identify those attempting to hide on platforms they believe keep them anonymous.

“Everything you do online leaves a trail and our investigators will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to identify and prosecute offenders.”

According to AFP Acting Chief Inspector Hayden Wells, the result is a great example of law enforcement working together to protect children.

“This arrest is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the ACCCE Operations Development and Disruption Unit, Intelligence Fusion Cell and the QPS, all of whom work tirelessly to identify, pursue and prosecute those involved in child exploitation.”