Police say a Queensland man charged with 596 child abuse offences used false identities online to groom and coerce children – mostly aged seven to 15 – in Australia and overseas.
Ethan Mitch Burns-Dederer, 27, from Maryborough – due to appear in a Brisbane court on Thursday – was arrested in February 2025 and refused bail.
Police released information about the case on Thursday having spent the past 12 months attempting to identify alleged victims from among 23,000 photographs and videos stored on the man’s hard drive.
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The investigation, codename Xray Wick, has identified 259 child victims. Police allege there were 459 victims in total. Investigations – including with police interstate and agencies overseas – were ongoing.
The man faces 244 charges of producing child abuse material for use through a carriage service, 163 counts of using a carriage service to procure persons under 16, and 87 counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child while using a carriage service
Police say they will allege the man “actively targeted children on social media and gaming platforms between 2018 and 2025”.
“Police will allege the man self-produced the child abuse material that was found on the electronic devices,” a Queensland police statement says.
“Police will further allege the man created multiple online profiles, posing as both males and females and that the child exploitation material was collected by the offender directly from victims through grooming and coercion.
“Police will also allege the man recorded his interactions, meticulously saving images and videos to named folders.”
Acting Ch Supt Denzil Clark, from the Queensland Police state crime command, said the investigation had require coordinated efforts of child abuse detectives, digital forensic experts, interstate and international police, and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation.
“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,” Clark said.
“This is extremely concerning and disturbing offending. 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.
“The trauma that this causes a child is significant.
“Our investigators will not stop and I urge parents and caregivers to continue to take active and ongoing measures to ensure the online safety of young people.
In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. If you or someone you know is affected by sexual assault, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000. International helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org. The Stop It Now! helpline is 1800 011 800.
