Gavel. Source : George Hodan, Public Domain Pictures
A Riverside man was sentenced to 12-months in jail for the downloading and possession of explicit material depicting child abuse.
The man, 46, who has not been named, was charged at Launceston Supreme Court.
The investigation that led to his arrest was a part of Operation Molto, a global operation coordinated by the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation.
The operation, which is known globally as Operation H, began in 2019 after information was shared by the New Zealand Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) about the methods offenders were using to share explicit material.
ACCCE obtained information regarding an email account used to store the explicit material, leading to the identification of the man.
This email account was later linked to the Tasmanian man.
On April 30, 2020, Australian Federal Police executed a search warrant at his Riverside home, seizing various electronic devices containing numerous images and videos of explicit material containing children.
Australian Federal Police’s officer in charge Detective Sergeant Aaron Hardcastle praised the AFP’s commitment to investigating offences and charging offenders in child exploitation.
“Today should serve as a warning that law enforcement is dedicated to fighting child sexual abuse and bringing those who commit these offences before the court,” D/Sergeant Hardcastle said.
“Our investigators are relentless in their pursuit of anyone sharing or accessing child abuse material, but we will always need the community’s help to ensure we are effective in identifying victims and perpetrators.” He said.
51 children have been removed from harmful situation in Australia because of the operation, and over 100 offenders have been charged.
Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Lesa Gale sought to recognise the work of police across all Australian states and territories.
“The work of police across Australia in rescuing these children shows that victims remain front of mind for law enforcement,” Assistant Commissioner Gale said.
“Viewing, distributing, or producing child abuse material is a horrific crime.
“The success of Operation Molto demonstrates the importance of partnerships for law enforcement, at a national level here in Australia, but also at an international level.” She said.
The man pleaded guilty to using a carriage service for sexual activity with persons under 16, possessing child abuse material accessed or obtained using a carriage service, and using a carriage service to access child abuse material.
He is to be released on a Recognisance Order after he serves 4 months’ imprisonment and was placed on the sex offenders register for 4 years.
