CANBERRA, ACT, March 2 -- Australian Federal Police issued the following media release:
This is a joint media release with the Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force
Editor's note:Arrest vision is available via Hightail
A Sydney man appearedinthe NSW Bail Division Courttoday (2March,2026) charged with allegedly engaging in sexual activity with a childwhile overseas.
AFPinquiriesbegan after the man,22, arrived at Sydney Airport on a flight fromTürkiyeon Saturday (28February,2026).
Australian Border Force (ABF)officers intercepted the man and examined his luggage - including a mobile phone and laptop - after intelligence-led screening.
It will be alleged theman hadtwovideos of child abuse material on his phone. One of the videos allegedly captured the man engaging in sexual activity with a child.
Thematter was referred to theAFP, whichchargedthe manwith:
* One count ofpossessor control child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of theCriminal Code(Cth); and* One count of sexual activity (other than sexual intercourse) with child outside Australia, contrary to section 272.9(1) of theCriminal Code(Cth).
These offences carry maximum penalties of 15 years' and 20 years' imprisonment, respectively.
The man was refused bail to appear before NSW Bail Division Court on Sunday (1March,2026). Hesubsequentlyappeared before the same court today (2March,2026) where he was formally refused bail.He is next scheduled to appearbefore Downing Centre Local Court on 29April,2026.
AFP Detective Superintendent Luke Needham saidthe AFP wascommitted to working with its law enforcement partners to combat the exploitation and abuse of children.
"If you seek to harm and exploit children, wherever they are in the world, you will be on the AFP's radar," Det-Supt Needham said.
"The investigators involved in these cases are committed and relentless in their pursuit of the alleged criminals who prey on our children for their own sexual gratification."
ABF Superintendent Elke West said ABF officers on the frontlinewere routinelylocatingabhorrent child abuse material on digital devices.
"Our officers' role is to assess potential threats to the Australian community - this deplorable material and those producing and importing it have no place in our society," Supt West said.
"We will protect the Australian community, including those most vulnerable - children both on and offshore. This vile behaviour will not be tolerated, and we will act swiftly and united in our stance against these alleged perpetrators."
TheAFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and theAustralian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE)is driving a collaborative national approach to combatting child abuse.
The ACCCE brings together specialistexpertiseand skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.
Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact theACCCE. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call policeimmediatelyon 000.
If you or someone you know isimpactedby child sexual abuse and online exploitation,support servicesare available.
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at theThinkUKnowwebsite, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
For more information on the role of the ACCCE, what is online child sexual exploitation and how to report it visittheACCCEwebsite.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
