Child exploitation charges, Warwick
A 47-year-old Warwick man has been charged with rape, child exploitation and grooming offences following an investigation into alleged offences that span a period from 2002 to 2015.
Operation North Lithium, a joint investigation between Warwick Child Protection and Investigation Unit (CPIU) and Taskforce Argos, has so far identified 28 alleged child victims and has resulted in 145 charges being laid.
It will be alleged a man used a variety of social media sites targeting children under the age of 16 using various usernames including ‘Jazz’, ‘Jazzman’ and ‘David Bourne’.
Police will be alleging that some of the offences included enticement, coercion, offers of money and extortion for the victims to send him indecent images. In some cases it will be alleged victims met the man and were subsequently taken to a hotel room where offences were committed.
Some of the alleged victims targeted were from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria with police believing there may also be other victims as far away as Western Australia.
The 47-year-old man has been charged with a total of 145 charges including five counts of rape, four counts of indecent treatment of children under 16, eight counts of grooming child under 16 with intent to procure engagement in a sexual act, 20 counts of involving children in making child exploitation material, 11 counts of making child exploitation material, two counts of making child abuse film and one count of distribution child exploitation material. He is expected to appear at the Warwick Magistrates Court on April 13.
Investigations are continuing with investigators asking for anyone who may have had contact with a person using the usernames above or who has any information that could assist investigators to contact Crime Stoppers.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
