CANBERRA, ACT, Feb. 9 -- Australian Federal Police issued the following media release:

Editor's note: Image of the accused available via Hightail.

A Western Australia man is scheduled to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on Friday (6 February, 2026) charged with allegedly purchasing online child abuse material produced in the Philippines.

The man, 69, was charged by the AFP on Wednesday, 4 February, 2026.

The US Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) began an investigation in May 2023 into an unknown user of a free messenger application who had allegedly offered to sell sexually explicit livestreamed shows involving children in the Philippines to other users online.

Following further inquiries, the Philippines National Police charged a woman, and three children known to her were removed from further harm.

In April, 2024, HSI notified the AFP that an Australian user had allegedly exchanged about 900 messages and three calls on a free messenger application with the woman in the Philippines between March and August, 2023.

AFP investigators allegedly linked the online activity to the man and executed a search warrant at a Success home, where investigators found 36 videos depicting child abuse material on a mobile phone.

Following further investigations, including forensic examination of the seized mobile phone, the man was charged with:

* One count of engaging in persistent sexual abuse of a child outside Australia, contrary to section 272.11(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth); * One count of procuring a child to engage in sexual activity outside of Australia, contrary to section 272.14(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth); * One count of possessing child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth);* Two counts of using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code (Cth);* One count of using a carriage service to cause child abuse material to be transmitted, contrary to section 474.22 (1)(a)(ii) of the Criminal Code (Cth);* One count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22A(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and* One count of soliciting child abuse material using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22 (1)(a)(iv) of the Criminal Code (Cth).

The maximum penalty for each offence is 15 years' imprisonment.

AFP Commander Renee Colley said the investigation highlighted the commitment of law enforcement agencies around the world to combat the exploitation and abuse of children.

"The common goal of police is to protect children, wherever they are, and to ensure anyone who tries to harm them is identified, located and prosecuted," Commander Colley said.

"Together with its valued partners in Australia and across the globe, the AFP remains fiercely committed to that cause.

"The investigators involved in these cases are relentless in their pursuit of the criminals who prey on children for their own sexual gratification."

The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the ACCCE is driving a collaborative national approach to combatting child abuse.

The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and 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 the ACCCE. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.

Note to media

Use of term 'CHILD ABUSE' MATERIAL not 'CHILD PORNOGRAPHY'

The correct legal term is Child Abuse Material - the move to this wording was among amendments to Commonwealth legislation in 2019 to more accurately reflect the gravity of the crimes and the harm inflicted on victims.

Use of the phrase 'child pornography' is inaccurate and benefits child sex abusers because it:

* indicates legitimacy and compliance on the part of the victim and therefore legality on the part of the abuser; and * conjures images of children posing in 'provocative' positions, rather than suffering horrific abuse.

Every photograph or video captures an actual situation where a child has been abused.

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.