Ethan Burns-Dederer: Queensland man charged with 596 child offences identified

A 27-year-old man from Maryborough, Queensland, has been charged with 596 child abuse-related offences after police allegedly uncovered tens of thousands of sexually explicit files involving children.

Police allege Ethan Burns-Dederer “groomed, coerced and threatened” hundreds of children, targeting victims both in Australia and overseas.

Officers say they located about 23,000 images and videos of the alleged offending, involving 459 victims.

Crime Command Detective Acting Chief Superintendent Denzil Clark said Queensland Police are working alongside national and international authorities to identify those affected.

“Police will allege the man recorded his interactions with his victims and had them send him sexual explicit material,” he said.

“(We allege) 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.”

According to Supt. Clark., police will allege Mr Burns-Dederer primarily targeted children aged between five and 15, using “popular social media and gaming platforms.”

The alleged offences occurred between 2018 and 2025, prior to the man’s arrest in February last year.

“Police will allege Mr Burns-Dederer created multiple fake online profiles, including male and female, and groomed, coerced and threatened young people into sending him sexually explicit material,” he said.

Police claim he recorded and stored these interactions in pre-named folders.

“This arrest is the result of highly coordinated and extensive investigations by specialists here in Queensland,” Supt Clark said.

The man is scheduled to appear in court. Investigations remain ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact police.