Two brothers from central Queensland have been charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in connection with alleged child abuse material offenses. The AFP initiated an investigation following an alert from the United States National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding an online user uploading child abuse material on social media platforms.
AFP investigators linked the activity to Ashley Greg Millard, 26, and Kaden Blake Millard, 19, both from Gladstone.
Investigation Details
A search warrant was executed at a New Auckland residence in November of the previous year, leading to the seizure of electronic devices, including two mobile phones. Police allege that an examination of these devices revealed child abuse material.
Ashley Greg Millard was arrested and charged with one count of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service and one count of accessing child abuse material using a carriage service.
Kaden Blake Millard was not charged at the time of the warrant. However, a subsequent examination of his social media accounts allegedly indicated he had transmitted child abuse material to another party via an online chat account. He was charged on January 15 with offenses including using a carriage service for child abuse material and possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service.
Legal Proceedings and Statements
The offenses carry a maximum penalty of 15 years' imprisonment. Both individuals are scheduled to appear in Gladstone Magistrates Court.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Kurt Wesche stated that viewing child abuse material constitutes a crime. He added, "Our message to online offenders has not changed — if you procure, access, or transmit child abuse material, you will be found, arrested and prosecuted. Children are not commodities to be used for the abhorrent gratification of sexual predators, and we will continue to target those who seek to exploit children."