CANBERRA, ACT, Jan. 27 -- Australian Federal Police issued the following media release:
This is a joint release between Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force.
Editor's note: An arrest image is available via Hightail.
The AFP has charged a Hornsby man for allegedly grooming a child in Thailand for sexual activity and possessing child abuse material.
The man, 62, was intercepted by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers and subjected to a baggage examination after arriving in Sydney on a flight from Bangkok.
ABF officers located a phone and tablet device which allegedly contained child abuse material and referred the matter to the AFP.
AFP investigators reviewed the devices and allegedly identified a video consisting of child abuse material and online conversations between the man and a child in Thailand.
The man was charged with:
* One count of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth); and* Two counts of engaging in conduct to groom a person for sexual activity outside Australia, contrary to section 272.15A of the Criminal Code (Cth).
Both offences carry a maximum penalty of 15 years' imprisonment.
The man was refused bail and is expected to appear before NSW Bail Division Court today (27 January 2026).
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Emmanuel Tsardoulias said the AFP and its partners work tirelessly to protect children from harm, no matter where they are from.
"The AFP and our law enforcement partners will not rest in our commitment to keep children safe," Det a/Supt Tsardoulias said.
"Our message hasn't changed - if someone grooms a child or possesses child abuse material, they are committing a serious offence."
ABF Superintendent Elke West said the ABF would continue to target and intercept suspicious material entering Australia through all import streams.
"The detection of child abuse material is a responsibility we take very seriously, we use a range of intelligence and targeting methods to identify it on electronic devices arriving through our airports," Supt West said.
"When this abhorrent material is found on a passenger's device, rest assured we take swift action to protect the broader community and ensure offenders are held accountable and put before the courts.
"Anyone attempting to harm children at home or overseas will remain a priority target, supported by our border detection efforts, the work of ABF officers, and collaboration with law enforcement partners worldwide."
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
