A Northern Territory man accused of child abuse material offences will face a further 15 charges related to sending and soliciting material via social media.
The 50-year-old Pine Creek man is expected to face Katherine Local Court after an Australian Federal Police investigation.
It was sparked by more than 20 reports from the US National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children about an Australian-based user uploading child abuse material online.
The NT Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team, comprising AFP and NT Police officers, initially charged the man on February 21.
He was arrested after investigators allegedly located child abuse material on his mobile phone while executing a search warrant at his home.
The man appeared initially in Katherine Local Court on February 22, charged with six offences relating to transmitting and soliciting child abuse material.
He was remanded in custody to reappear on Monday.
Further forensic examination of his mobile allegedly found he was transmitting and soliciting child abuse material via the Telegram app and he has been charged with an additional 15 offences.
The maximum penalty for each of the offences is 15 years' imprisonment.
AFP Superintendent Gregory Davis said law enforcement agencies remained committed to protecting children.
“This is not a victimless crime. Children are not commodities to be used for the abhorrent gratification of sexual predators,’’ Supt Davis said.
“Our message to online offenders has not changed - if you procure, access and transmit child abuse material, we will find you, and you will be prosecuted.”
People who have information about anyone involved in child abuse are urged to contact the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation at www.accce.gov.au/report
