Three Australians Arrested In Relation To An Alleged International Child Sex Offender Network

20 March 2009


Media Release
Three Australians arrested in relation to an
alleged international child sex offender network
Two men are facing an Australian court today and another Australian has been
arrested in Thailand for allegedly committing child sex offences following a joint
investigation involving close cooperation with the Australian Federal Police (AFP)
the Royal Thai Police (RTP) and state police agencies.
Ongoing investigations by the AFP have resulted in coordinated assistance with
the Children, Juveniles and Woman's Division of the RTP and the Child Exploitation
and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) in the United Kingdom in relation to
Australian nationals travelling overseas and committing child sex offences in
Thailand.
The AFP executed search warrants on the men's residential addresses in
Sydney yesterday and arrested them for a range of offences relating to child
sex tourism and possession of child abuse material.
On the same day RTP officers conducted a search warrant upon residential
premises and arrested an Australian national residing in Thailand.
The men arrested include a 40-year-old Russell Lea man, a 23-year-old Eastwood
man and a 68-year-old Australian residing in Thailand.
The Manager of the AFP Sydney Office Commander David Stewart said that this
operation highlights the importance of law enforcement agency relationships with
CEOP in the UK, through the Virtual Global Taskforce partners and those with the
Royal Thai Police.
"This is not just another successful result in this crime type but it underlines the
constant problem police face worldwide in tackling child abuse and child sex
tourism.
"We will continue to relentlessly pursue those individuals who choose to abuse
children, who are the most vulnerable in our communities.
"The AFP will not tolerate any form of child abuse in Australia or anywhere in the
world and will continue to work with local and overseas counterparts to arrest
those behind child exploitation," Commander Stewart said.





The charges against the three men include:

Offences contrary to legislation of Australia as per section 50AD of the
Crimes (Child Sex Tourism) Amendment Act 1994;

Offences contrary to legislation of Australia as per section 15.1 (Extended
geographical jurisdiction--category A) of the Criminal Code Act 1995;

Sexual conduct involving children under 16 outside Australia, contrary to
Section 50BC of the Crimes Act 1914;

Using a carriage service to access child pornography, contrary to section
474.19 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); and

Possess child pornography, contrary to section 91H of the Crimes Act 1914
(NSW).
There are also a number of charges in relation to serious offences committed
against the laws of the Kingdom of Thailand.
Concerns about inappropriate or suspicious behavior can be reported to local
police, the AFP website or the Virtual Global Taskforce website at
www.virtualglobaltaskforce.com.

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AFP National Media Team
Phone: (02) 6275 7100