A 27-year-old man has been charged with a staggering 596 offences in what authorities describe as one of Australia's most severe alleged cases of online child sexual abuse. The extensive investigation uncovered more than 23,000 videos and images depicting hundreds of victims from across Australia and numerous overseas locations.
Major Investigation Uncovers Vast Network of Abuse
Ethan Mitch Burns-Dederer, 27, was arrested in February 2025 following coordinated efforts by Queensland Police Crime Command and detectives from the Child Abuse and Sexual Crime Group. Officers executed a search warrant at his Maryborough home, seizing multiple electronic devices that would later reveal a disturbing pattern of alleged criminal behaviour.
Twelve Months of Intensive Digital Forensic Work
Over the subsequent twelve months, specialist investigators conducted exhaustive digital forensic examinations of the seized devices. Their work revealed child abuse material involving 459 victims across Australia and up to fifteen different countries worldwide.
Detective Acting Chief Superintendent Denzil Clark explained the nature of the allegations: "Police will allege the man recorded his interactions with his victims and had them send him sexually explicit material."
Victim Profile and Alleged Methods
The victims were primarily male children aged between five and fifteen years. Authorities allege Burns-Dederer actively targeted these young people on popular social media and gaming platforms between 2018 and 2025, with the offending ceasing only upon his arrest.
The platforms allegedly used include every major social media and gaming site, with specific mentions of Snapchat, Instagram, Fortnite, and Roblox among the digital spaces where grooming reportedly occurred.
Sophisticated Online Deception Uncovered
Police further allege that Burns-Dederer created multiple online profiles, posing as both males and females to obtain material directly from victims through sophisticated grooming and coercion techniques.
"It is alleged he also recorded his interactions with children, meticulously saving images and videos to named folders," authorities revealed.
Detective Clark described the volume of material as particularly challenging: "Due to the volume of images and videos of children on the alleged offender's devices, the process of identification took time, skill and commitment."
Progress in Victim Identification
As of the latest court appearance, authorities had successfully identified 360 of the 459 alleged victims. The investigation also uncovered additional offenders during its course, with one other man now facing related charges.
Clark characterised the alleged offences as "extremely concerning and disturbing" and emphasised that the investigation highlighted the significant scale and seriousness of online child exploitation in contemporary society.
Growing Trend of Online Exploitation
"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 warned. "The trauma that this causes a child is significant."
Specific Charges Laid
The 596 charges against the 27-year-old include:
- 244 counts of producing child abuse material using a carriage service
- 163 counts of using a carriage service to procure persons under 16
- 87 counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child using a carriage service
Warning to Parents and Carers
Clark urged parents and carers to take an active role in their children's digital lives: "There are a lot of things being done today to assist parents and provide them with different tools that they can use. However, it still comes back to parental supervision of their children."
"They need to be a part of the child's life, and when I say their life, it's their online life," he emphasised. "They need to be aware of what their children are doing, what platforms they're on, and who they are talking with."
The detective stressed the importance of creating environments where children feel safe enough to disclose concerning online interactions: "They also need to create an environment where children feel safe enough that they can tell their parents if anything has happened or they are concerned about behaviours online."
Ongoing Investigation and Court Proceedings
Investigations remain active, with interstate and international partners continuing to work toward identifying all victims. Burns-Dederer appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court via video link and remains in custody as legal proceedings continue.
Police are urging anyone with information about child sexual abuse or online exploitation to contact authorities immediately.
