Key facts
- Australian federal police are investigating a former Sydney childcare worker.
- The 35-year-old man has been charged with 329 offenses allegedly committed over 16 years.
- Charges include producing child abuse material and intentionally sexually touching a child under 10.
- Police have contacted 121 families whose children were identified in child abuse material.
- The investigation analyzed 2.4 million electronic files and involved 12 search warrants.
Australian federal police have contacted more than 120 families as part of an investigation into alleged offenses by a former Sydney childcare worker. The 35-year-old man faces 329 charges, including producing child abuse material and sexual offenses against children, allegedly committed over a 16-year period against 136 victims.
The charges include 162 counts of producing child abuse material, 24 counts of using a child under 14 for the production of child abuse material, and 18 counts of intentionally sexually touching a child under 10 years old. The investigation, dubbed 'Operation Moonbi,' began in June last year after a report of child abuse material being uploaded online.
Police linked the man to the alleged activity and executed a search warrant in Glossodia, Sydney's northwest, leading to his arrest and charging in July. His working-with-children accreditation was suspended. The man had worked at or attended 62 early childhood education facilities, primarily in Sydney's northwest, and police allege he committed multiple offenses against children at five of these locations, including four childcare centers and his own private business.
AFP acting commander Luke Needham stated that police have contacted 121 families, both in Australia and internationally, whose children have been positively identified in child abuse material. The 12-month operation involved analyzing 2.4 million electronic files and executing 12 search warrants.