A primary school principal has been charged with possession of child exploitation material and sexually abusing minors.
Patric Brady, 54, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon after police searched his home in Pimpama, on the northern tip of the Gold Coast.
Brady has been the highly respected headmaster of nearby Oxenford State School since October 2018.
A Queensland Police spokesman said there was “no indication” his alleged offending was related to his employment.
Brady is believed to have been in possession of the material and encrypted messaging services used to lure children in the Philippines.
He was charged with one count of possession of child exploitation material and three counts of soliciting child abuse material through the use of a transportation service.
Brady also faces one count of grooming a person to engage in sexual activity with a child outside Australia, and one count of grooming a child to engage in sexual activity outside Australia.
Oxenford State School headteacher Patric Brady (pictured) has been charged with allegedly possessing child exploitation material and sexually grooming a child.
The arrest was the result of a joint operation by Queensland Police and the AFP-led Australian Centre for Countering Child Exploitation (ACCCE).
Ongoing investigations into the extent of the alleged offences are being led by Queensland Police’s Argos Task Force, which specialises in online child exploitation and abuse.
Argos Detective Inspector Glen Donaldson said officers were “leaving no stone unturned” in their efforts to identify the suspected offenders.
“The issue of live online child sexual abuse (LOCSA) of vulnerable children around the world is a significant concern and remains a priority for law enforcement across Australia,” Donaldson said.
‘Law enforcement continues to share intelligence on a daily basis and work together to identify those attempting to hide behind platforms they believe make them anonymous.
“Everything you do online leaves a trail, and our detectives will spare no effort to identify and prosecute offenders.”
Brady also faces one count of grooming a person to engage in sexual activity with a child outside Australia, and grooming a child to engage in sexual activity outside Australia (pictured: Brady during police search).
A Department of Education spokesperson said it is aware that “one employee has been arrested” and is providing counseling to those who need it.
“The department is supporting the police investigation and providing ongoing support to the affected school community,” the spokesperson said.
‘There are counselling and guidance services available for anyone who needs support.’
Brady was granted bail at Southport Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday after being refused bail by police following his arrest. Courier mail information.
He is expected to return to court on September 12.