1 week Ago By Brianna Melville
A 36-year-old man has faced Geraldton Magistrates Court on nine charges related to possessing and sharing child sexual abuse material. Shaun Henry Ronan appeared via video link from Greenough Regional Prison. The matter was adjourned for legal advice and he did not apply for bail.
In a statement Australian Federal Police (AFP) said Mr Ronan was charged after an investigation into a report from the United States' National Center for Missing Exploited Children about an online user allegedly uploading child abuse material. A search warrant was executed at his home during an operation involving the Western Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team, the Australian Border Force and WA Police. The AFP said a computer was seized that police allege was used to engage in online chats to procure and transmit child abuse material.
Mr Ronan is facing three charges of transmitting child abuse material using a carriage service, three counts of causing child abuse material to be transmitted to himself, two counts of soliciting child abuse material and one count of possessing child abuse material. A prosecutor appearing for the Commonwealth said more charges could be laid pending a search of a second device. The accused will reappear in court next week to make an application for bail.
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