Last year, Australian child exploitation investigators received crucial information from their U.S. counterparts, alerting them to an online user who was uploading child abuse material on social media platforms. This tip-off set the stage for a significant investigation.

Through their diligent efforts, Australian Federal Police linked this illegal activity to two men residing in Gladstone, aged 26 and 19. The investigation led officers to conduct a search at a New Auckland residence in November, where they discovered several electronic devices associated with the 26-year-old suspect. Among these devices were two mobile phones, which allegedly contained child abuse material.

The inquiry did not stop there. Officers also scrutinized the social media activities of the 19-year-old, uncovering evidence that he had allegedly distributed child abuse material to another individual via an online chat account.

As a result of these findings, the 26-year-old now faces serious charges. He has been charged with one count of accessing child abuse material using a carriage service and another count of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained using a carriage service.

The 26-year-old was charged with one count each of accessing child abuse material using a carriage service and possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained using a carriage service.

The 19-year-old man was charged with one count of accessing child abuse material using a carriage service, two counts of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained using a carriage service and two counts of transmitting child abuse material using a carriage service.

These offences carry minimum jail terms of 15 years.

Both men are due to face Gladstone Magistrates Court today.

”Anyone who views child abuse material is committing a crime,” Detective Acting Superintendent Kurt Wesche said.

“Our message to online offenders has not changed – if you procure, access, or transmit child abuse material, you will be found, arrested and prosecuted.

“Children are not commodities to be used for the abhorrent gratification of sexual predators, and we will continue to target those who seek to exploit children.”

If abuse is happening right now, call Triple Zero.