BREAKING: An Australian man has been charged following a global undercover sting operation aimed at child exploitation. Authorities in the United States alerted Australian law enforcement about the 55-year-old from Humpty Doo, who allegedly attempted to solicit sexually explicit images from someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl online.
The operation was initiated after the Northern Territory Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (NT JACET) was contacted by U.S. officials in March 2025. The man was unaware that he was communicating with an undercover officer from Homeland Security Investigations. This urgent investigation highlights the ongoing efforts to combat online child exploitation.
Police allege that the man attempted to procure a child for sexual activity and sent indecent messages to an underage person. His residence, located approximately 40 kilometers southeast of Darwin, was raided in April 2025, resulting in the seizure of a mobile phone for forensic analysis. Disturbingly, sexually explicit images were discovered that linked him to the initial report from U.S. authorities.
“We will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to ensure offenders are held accountable,” stated Northern Territory Police Acting Senior Sergeant Sarah Firth. She emphasized, “Trust that if you are engaging in these crimes, you will be found next.”
On September 24, 2025, the man was formally charged with one count of procuring a child to engage in sexual activity outside of Australia and one count of using a carriage service to transmit indecent communication to a person under 16 years of age. The maximum penalty for the first charge is 15 years’ imprisonment, while the second charge carries a maximum of up to 10 years’ imprisonment. His case remains ongoing in the Darwin Local Court.
This incident serves as a critical reminder of the vulnerabilities children face online. Authorities are urging anyone affected by child sexual abuse or online exploitation to seek support. For more information on how to report such crimes, visit the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) website.
As investigations continue, the public is encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to help protect children from online predators.
