FED: Six arrested overnight - police say child porn ring smashed

AAP General News (Australia)
12-16-2007
FED: Six arrested overnight - police say child porn ring smashed

Police say they've smashed an Australian child pornography ring.

They've arrested six men .. and seized computers and equipment containing thousands
of images .. in overnight raids in New South Wales and Victoria.

It's alleged the syndicate produced and distributed child pornography .. while also
grooming more children for future abuse.

The arrests follow an 11-month covert investigation by Strike Force Pymont .. led by
officers from the NSW Child Protection and Sex Crimes Squad .. and Australian Federal
Police.

Child Protection Squad Commander Detective Superintendent HELEN BEGG warns .. anyone
who thinks they can engage in such activities anonymously over the internet .. will be
tracked down and charged.

She says the operation's a timely reminder to parents to learn about the internet ..

and how to protect their children from predators.





Most of the six arrested in eight raids overnight are from regional NSW.

They include a 38-year-old South West Rocks man .. who'll face Port Macquarie Local
Court today on numerous charges including 14 of using a carriage service to transmit child
pornography.

A 51-year-old man from Orange will appear in Orange Local Court today .. on 10 counts
of disseminating and producing child pornography .. and one count of possessing child
pornography.

A 29-year-old Coonabarabran man will appear in Tamworth Local Court today .. charged
with two counts of disseminating and producing child pornography.

A 22-year-old man from Griffith will face Wagga Wagga Local court charged with one
count each of disseminating and producing child pornography and possessing child pornography.

And a 31-year-old Sydney man has been charged with drug-related offences .. with police
saying their inquiries are ongoing.

A 49-year-old Melbourne man will appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court tomorrow
.. charged with using a carriage service to transmit child pornography and two counts
of possessing child pornography.

A seventh male .. a 17-year-old youth .. was arrested in Queensland in August .. he's
been charged with using a carriage service for child pornography material.





(Eds: Repeating to clarify that six men were arrested in overnight raids. A seventh
man was arrested in August.)

AAP RTV dr/jmt

KEYWORD: PORN (SYDNEY)

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.