A 70-year-old resident of Mannum, a town in South Australia, is facing serious legal consequences as he has been charged with possessing child abuse material. The material was reportedly found on his mobile phone, which was confiscated during an investigation initiated on May 27.
The charges against him stem from an inquiry conducted by the South Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team, prompted by a tip-off from the United States’ National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children. This organisation alerted authorities about child abuse material being uploaded onto a social media platform, leading to the identification of the man.
He faces a potential prison sentence of up to 15 years for possessing or controlling the material, which was allegedly accessed through a carriage service. The accused is scheduled to appear in Murray Bridge Magistrates Court today to face these serious allegations.
Detective Sergeant Jarrod Cook from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has emphasised the severity of the matter, stating, “We cannot send a clearer message to offenders – if you engage in these horrific activities, you will be found, charged and prosecuted.”