Australian arrested over 35,000 child porn images

Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA: Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard (C) acknowledges the standing ovation as Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Wayne Swan (L) and ALP President Jenny McAllister (R) look on during the 46th national conference of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) in Sydney on December 2, 2011. Gillard said Labor was the party of job creation and achievement, pointing to the successful passage of the governments carbon pricing legislation. AFP PHOTO/Torsten Blackwood

December 2, 2011
SYDNEY (AFP) - A man linked to the Australian Federal Police has been arrested after more than 35,000 child pornography images and 800 videos were allegedly found at his Sydney home, police said Friday.

Officers raided the house on Thursday, acting on information from the federal police, and seized computer equipment and hard drives.

They also allegedly found Australian Federal Police uniforms, batons and handcuffs.

The 49-year-old was subsequently charged with disseminating child pornography, possessing child pornography, possessing a prohibited weapon and possessing ammunition without a licence.

Superintendent Greg Rolph said police were still trawling through the material and efforts were being made to identify the children allegedly depicted in the photos and videos.

Police would not say what the man's current occupation was, but added he previously held positions of authority that allegedly allowed him contact with "emotionally and physically vulnerable children".