Queensland man charged with 596 child abuse related offences
A 27-year-old man has been charged with 596 child abuse related offences in Queensland.
Police launched an investigation in February last year, known as Operation Xray Wick, after detectives seized electronic devices from the man’s residence in Maryborough.

A man, who was 26 years old at the time of his arrest, has been in custody since February of last year due to charges related to child abuse.

A 27-year-old man has been charged with 596 child abuse related offences in Queensland. Police launched an investigation in February last year, known as Operation Xray Wick, after detectives seized electronic devices from the man's residence in Maryborough.
Detectives seized electronic devices from the man’s residence in Maryborough in February last year. (Queensland Police)
Over the course of a year, specialist investigators carried out extensive digital forensic examinations, allegedly finding more than 23,000 videos and images against 459 victims across multiple jurisdictions in Australia and overseas.

Queensland Police issued a statement saying, “Our investigations are still underway, with support from interstate and international partners working diligently to identify and assist every victim.”

“Authorities will claim that the individual produced the child abuse content discovered on his electronic devices,” the statement continued.

Police launched an investigation in February last year, known as Operation Xray Wick.
Police launched an investigation in February last year, known as Operation Xray Wick. (Queensland Police)

“It is alleged that between 2018 and 2025, the man targeted minors on various social media and gaming platforms.”

The victims reportedly ranged in age from seven to 15 years old.

Furthermore, police allege that the man created numerous online identities, pretending to be both male and female. They claim that the offender obtained child exploitation material directly from the victims through methods of grooming and coercion.

“Police will also allege the man recorded his interactions, meticulously saving images and videos to named folders.”

The case is scheduled for a mention in Brisbane Magistrates Court today.
The case is scheduled for a mention in Brisbane Magistrates Court today. (Supplied)

The 27-year-old man has been charged with a total of 596 charges against 259 identified victim children. 

Charges include 244 counts of producing child abuse material for use through a carriage service, 163 counts of using a carriage service to procure persons under 16 years of age, and 87 counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child using a carriage service.

The case is scheduled for a mention in Brisbane Magistrates Court today.

Crime Command Detective Acting Chief Superintendent Denzil Clark said allegations of this nature were “extremely concerning and disturbing”.

“We are seeing an increasing prevalence of children being groomed, coerced, or threatened into taking and sending sexual images of themselves, often through popular apps, games, and social media sites,” Clark said.

“The trauma that this causes a child is significant.

“Our investigators will not stop and I urge parents and caregivers to continue to take active and ongoing measures to ensure the online safety of young people.”

Members of the public who have information about people involved in child sexual abuse and online exploitation are urged to contact police.

If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

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