Cocos Keeling Island man charged with child abuse material offences

ACT Policing Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Team (SACAT) investigators have charged a 26-year-old Cocos Keeling Islands man with child sex offences.  

Police will allege the man used fake social media accounts to solicit explicit images from juveniles and then used those images to extort three children to perform sexual acts with him, one of whom complied. 

The man was arrested on the island today (13 March 2024) after officers travelled to the island to execute a search warrant on the man’s home. 

He has been charged with 14 offences, including grooming using a carriage service, controlling child abuse material, indecent communications with a child under 16 and sexual penetration of a child. He is due to appear before the Perth Magistrates Court today via videolink.  

ACT Policing Detective Inspector Stephanie Leonard said police encourage anyone who has been a victim of child sexual abuse to come forward and speak to police.  

“I understand that it’s a very difficult topic to talk about and it takes a lot of courage to disclose when you have been the victim of sexual abuse, but by coming forward, specialist investigators can provide you with the appropriate support and options to proceed,” Det. Insp. Leonard said. 

“Protecting the most vulnerable in our community is incredibly important to ACT Policing, and SACAT investigators are on hand to ensure that any reports are dealt with appropriately and compassionately.”  

The investigation is continuing, and further charges have not been ruled out. 

Police are urging victims or anyone who has any information about the incident to contact police on 131 444 or report via CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000. Please quote reference number 7687551. 

MEDIA ENQUIRIES  

POLICE MEDIA — (02) 5126 9070,  act-police-media@afp.gov.au