Operation Pyrite alleged child sex offender charged with further offences

ACT Policing has laid a further nine charges against a 56-year-old man accused of grooming, sexual conduct with children outside of Australia and engaging in sexual activity with children between 1994 and 2005.

Since his updated charges in July 2022, two additional victims have come forward bringing the total number of alleged victims to seven.

In total, the man is now facing 26 charges – including the additional fresh charges below:

• Four counts of an act of indecency on a person under 16 years

• One count of an act of indecency without consent

• Two counts of false or misleading information knowingly

• One count of false or misleading information aggravated

Investigations have concluded that the man had been employed by several government departments and obtained his security clearance by making false and misleading statements.

The 56-year-old is set to face the ACT Magistrates Court this morning (Monday 5 September 2022).

Operation Pyrite’s investigations are ongoing, and anyone with information relating to this matter is urged to contact Crime Stoppers from anywhere in Australia on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers website.

Anyone with such information who is outside Australia should report via the website. Please refer to “AFP Operation Pyrite” when providing information.

Media enquiries

Police Media — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au

Note for editors:

The names of some of the offences alleged against the man have changed recently. Police are required to lay charges under the legislation in force at the time it is alleged the offences took place.