An elementary school principal has been charged with possession of child pornography and sexual harassment of children.
Patric Brady, 54, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon after police searched his home in Pimpama, on the Gold Coast’s northern side.
Brady has been the highly respected principal of nearby Oxenford State School since October 2018.
A Queensland Police spokesman said there was “no indication” his alleged offence was related to his work.
It is alleged that Brady was in possession of the material as well as encrypted messaging services used to lure children in the Philippines.
He was charged with possession of child abuse material and three counts of soliciting child abuse material through a transportation service.
Brady is also charged with manipulating a person to facilitate sexual activity with a child outside Australia, and manipulating a child to engage in sexual activity outside Australia.
Oxenford State School principal Patric Brady (pictured) has been charged with allegedly possessing child exploitation material and manipulating children
The arrest was the result of a joint operation between Queensland Police and the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE).
The ongoing investigation into the scale of the alleged offences is being led by Queensland Police’s Task Force Argos, which specialises in online child exploitation and abuse.
Argos Detective Inspector Glen Donaldson said officers were “leaving no stone unturned” in their attempts to identify 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,” Mr Donaldson said.
‘Law enforcement continues to share information on a daily basis and work together to identify those who seek to hide on platforms they believe will keep them anonymous.
‘Everything you do online leaves traces. Our investigators will do everything they can to identify and prosecute offenders.’
Brady is also charged with manipulating a person to facilitate sexual activity with a child outside Australia, and manipulating a child to engage in sexual activity outside Australia (pictured, Brady during police stop)
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said it was aware that a “staff member has been arrested” and was providing counselling to those who require it.
“The department is supporting the police investigation and providing ongoing support to the affected school community,” the spokesperson said.
‘Anyone who needs support can contact us for counseling and guidance.’
Brady was granted bail at Southport District Court on Wednesday after being refused bail by police following his arrest. Courier post defeated.
He is expected to appear in court again on September 12.