Yesterday a Sunshine Coast private schoolteacher was arrested on child exploitation and child abuse material charges.
Child Abuse and Sexual Crime Group Detective Inspector Glen Donaldson said a search warrant had been executed at the man’s Glenview address where devices were seized for forensic examination.
Through an examination of the material through digital forensics experts, police located evidence that alleged the man had possessed and made child abuse material available.
Detectives arrested the 41-year-old man on Thursday 16 September 2021.
Police charged him with one count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material, one count of using a carriage service to make available child abuse material and one count of possessing child abuse material for use through a carriage service.
The man was released on bail under strict conditions and is due to appear at the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on October 14.
“This is not a victimless crime. These images have been created through the abuse of real children and anyone involved in possessing or distributing these images continues this cycle of victimisation,” Detective Inspector Donaldson said.
“Every day Argos has undercover officers working in a range of online platforms to detect and apprehend people who seek to trade in these horrific images.
“Remember that everything you do online leaves a trace.”
The man has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing in relation to any student at the school at this stage, however investigations are ongoing. This highlights an ongoing message we reiterate to parents: when it comes to the safety of your children, don’t trust anyone.