Federal police charge Hunter man over alleged child exploitation offences following tip-off from the USA

The 29-year-old was charged at Cessnock Police Station, but cannot be identified.

The investigation began last November when the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) received a referral from the US National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding an Australian user allegedly transmitting child abuse material via a cloud-based internet service.

Subsequent police inquiries by the ACCCE and AFP Child Protection Operations identified a NSW man as the alleged user of the service.

A search warrant was executed at the man's home on Wednesday, where he was arrested.

Several electronic items were seized during the warrant and will be subject to further forensic examination.

The man has been charged with one count of possessing child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth. and one count of production of child abuse material, contrary to section 91G of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW).

The maximum penalty for these offences is 15 and 14 years imprisonment respectively.

AFP Commander Investigations Eastern Command Kirsty Schofield said the arrest was a cumulative effort that demonstrated the AFP's commitment to stamping out child exploitation in the Australian community.

"No matter the circumstances, our investigators and analysts are always ready to step up and help catch these offenders and stop them from preying on the young and vulnerable members of our community." Commander Schofield said.

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