'We will track you down': Gosnells teen charged with 208 child sex abuse offences
A Gosnells teenager will appear in court on Friday accused of 208 child sexual abuse offences.
Child Abuse Squad detectives allege the 19-year-old man is linked to a national online child exploitation network, and described the abuse as "horrific".
They will allege between 2014 and 2020 the man sexually assaulted five boys aged between three and 11 at the time he first abused them. The victims were known to the man through family and friends.
He is accused of recording some of the abuse and sharing those videos and photographs online with other alleged child sex offenders around Australia.
Officer in Charge of the WA Police Child Abuse Squad Detective Sergeant Scott Johnson said it was heartbreaking to think of any child being violated to satisfy an adult’s depraved sexual impulses.
He said the harm was magnified each time photos or videos of the abuse were shared.
“We know it is hard for parents to hear and read about these crimes and it is distressing for police to review this abhorrent material,” he said.
“But everyone can play a role in protecting children and, for police, knowing that we can remove victims from harmful situations and stop other children from being hurt at all strengthens our resolve.”
Australian Federal Police alerted the Western Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team after an examination of a New South Wales man’s electronic devices revealed he had allegedly communicated with a man in WA.
The NSW man was arrested and charged in May as part of the AFP’s Operation Arkstone.
AFP Child Protection Operations Detective Superintendent Paula Hudson said nine men in three states were being put before the courts and at least 19 children had been saved from further harm through the operation.
“We will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of anyone who is involved in the exploitation or abuse of children,” she said.
“This investigation is a warning that use of encrypted applications or systems will not enable you to stay anonymous – we have the capabilities and the will to track you down and arrest you.”
The WA man has been charged with:
• 60 counts of Distributing Child Exploitation Material;
• 58 counts of Indecently Record a Child under 13 years;
• 52 counts of Indecent Dealings with a Child under 13 years;
• 26 counts of Sexual Penetration of a Child under 13 years;
• Five counts of Procured, Encouraged or Incited a Child under 13 years to do an Indecent Act;
• Four counts of Child under 16: Persistent Sexual Conduct with;
• Two counts of Threaten to Kill; and
• One count of Attempted Sexual Penetration of a Child under 13 years.