Queensland Police have charged an Australian man with 596 child abuse-related offences following a major investigation that uncovered more than 23,000 videos and images linked to 459 victims, some as young as seven years old.
Operation Xray Wick Investigation Details
The 27-year-old suspect, who was initially arrested in February 2025, has now been formally charged with multiple offences after an extensive police operation. Detectives allege the man actively targeted children, most aged between seven and 15, on social media and gaming platforms both in Australia and overseas between 2018 and 2025.
Online Grooming Tactics Revealed
Police investigations revealed the suspect created multiple online profiles, posing as both male and female personas to groom victims and record thousands of images and videos. The investigation, known as Operation Xray Wick, has so far identified 259 children among the victims, with authorities continuing to work with international partners to identify and support all affected individuals.
Acting chief superintendent Denzil Clark from Queensland Police stated: "Due to the volume of images and videos of children on the alleged offender's devices, the process of identification took time, skill and commitment. This is extremely concerning and disturbing offending."
Police Seizure and Court Proceedings
During the 2025 operation, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sexual Crime Group seized electronic devices from the man's home in Maryborough, approximately 140 miles north of Brisbane. Body-worn camera footage released by police shows officers conducting the evidence seizure as part of their comprehensive investigation.
The man is scheduled to appear before Brisbane Magistrates' Court on Thursday, facing serious charges including:
- 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
- 87 counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child using a carriage service
Growing Concern About Online Child Exploitation
Superintendent Clark highlighted the increasing prevalence of children being groomed, coerced, or threatened into taking and sending sexual images of themselves through popular apps, games, and social media sites. "The trauma that this causes a child is significant," he emphasised, pointing to the serious psychological impact on young victims.
Queensland Police have confirmed they are working closely with international law enforcement agencies to ensure every victim is properly identified and receives appropriate support services. The force's statement underscores their commitment to tackling online child exploitation through coordinated international efforts and dedicated investigative resources.
