A 27-year-old man has been charged with possessing child abuse material after investigators searched a home in Hobart’s Battery Point and seized a phone and laptop.
Officers from the Tasmania Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET), made up of Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Tasmania Police investigators, carried out the search on Thursday.
Police allege both devices contained child abuse material.
The investigation began after authorities received reports of a user allegedly sharing child abuse material across several online platforms.
The man was charged with one count of possessing child abuse material accessed using a carriage service.
The Commonwealth offence carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
He appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Thursday and is due to return in February.
AFP commander Nick Read said authorities would continue to target people accessing child abuse material online.
“Behind every piece of child abuse material is a real victim who has been harmed,” he said.
“Our investigators work every day to identify individuals allegedly engaging with child abuse material online and are committed to pursuing every case reported.”
“Working alongside Tasmania Police through the Tasmania JACET, we will continue to pursue those suspected of contributing to the exploitation of children, wherever they are operating.”
