A Tasmanian man has been arrested and charged with possessing child abuse material following a joint operation between the Australian Federal Police and Tasmania Police.
Officers from the Tasmanian Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team executed a search warrant at the 48-year-old man’s South Launceston home on Thursday.
The investigation was launched after red flags were raised in the United States about an online user based in Tasmania uploading child abuse material.
Police successfully linked the man to the illegal online activity and allegedly found child abuse material on electronic devices during the search of his home.
AFP Detective Sergeant Aaron Hardcastle said the devices will be subject to further forensic examination.
“Offences against children are particularly heinous due to the exploitation involved and we will continue to target this type of offending Australia-wide,” he 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.”
The man is facing a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.
