<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A 27-year-old man has been charged with 596 child abuse related offences in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/queensland" rel="" target="" title="Queensland"><span>Queensland</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police launched an investigation in February last year, known as </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/police" rel="" target="" title="Operation Xray Wick"><span>Operation Xray Wick</span></a><span>, after detectives seized electronic devices from the man's residence in Maryborough.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The then 26-year-old man was arrested in relation to child abuse related offences and has been in custody since February last year.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/new-start-final-nuclear-treaty-between-russia-and-usa-set-to-expire-in-hours/ed68bb96-6f73-4588-91b3-12e884b13853"><strong><span>Nuclear 'arms race' feared as final US-Russia treaty expires in hours</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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 </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/australia" rel="" target="" title="Australia"><span>Australia</span></a><span> and overseas.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Investigations remain ongoing, with interstate and international partners assisting to ensure every victim is identified and supported," Queensland Police said in a statement.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Police will allege the man self-produced the child abuse material that was found on the electronic devices. </span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/queensland-courts-maryborough-man-charged-with-596-child-abuse-related-offences/8df9c7da-8859-4a52-b7de-704f2ee08faa" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/office-vacancy-rates-in-melbourne-surge-to-highest-rate-since-1997/857ca46b-d7f0-4a29-a3ff-ffaffbdee511"><strong><span>Office buildings are sitting empty in this city. It could get even worse</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It will be alleged the man had actively targeted children on social media and gaming platforms between 2018 and 2025. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The victims were primarily aged between seven and 15 years.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Police will further allege the man created multiple online profiles, posing as both males and females and that the child exploitation material was collected by the offender directly from victims through grooming and coercion.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Police will also allege the man recorded his interactions, meticulously saving images and videos to named folders."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/aukus-submarines-could-not-be-sold-to-australia-new-us-congressional-report/6d2b3916-ffc7-4a82-bacc-3d50c114c9b5"><strong><span>US politicians hear option of not selling Australia nuclear submarines</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The 27-year-old man has been charged with a total of 596 charges against 259 identified victim children. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The case is scheduled for a mention in Brisbane Magistrates Court today.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Crime Command Detective Acting Chief Superintendent Denzil Clark said allegations of this nature were "extremely concerning and disturbing".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The trauma that this causes a child is significant.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"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."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Members of the public who have information about people involved in child sexual abuse and online exploitation are urged to contact police.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Support is available from the</span></strong><span> </span><strong><span>National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service</span></strong><span> </span><strong><span>at</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.1800respect.org.au/" title="https://www.1800respect.org.au/"><strong><span>1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)</span></strong></a><strong><span>.</span></strong></div></div>