A 27-year-old man accused of grooming hundreds of children across social media and online gaming platforms has been charged with a staggering 596 child abuse-related offences, in a case that has shocked authorities and highlighted the pervasive dangers of digital predation.
Alleged Offences Span Seven Years
Ethan Mitch Burns-Dederer has remained in custody since his arrest in February 2025, when police executed a raid on his residence in Maryborough, approximately 250 kilometres north of Brisbane. During the operation, officers seized multiple electronic devices which later revealed a vast trove of incriminating evidence.
Scale of the Alleged Abuse
Police disclosed at a press conference on Thursday that Burns-Dederer allegedly amassed more than 23,000 images and videos from 459 children between 2018 and 2025. Investigators have so far identified 360 of these alleged victims, with around 200 residing in Australia and others spread across 14 additional nations.
Detective Acting Chief Superintendent Denzil Clark of Crime Command described the allegations as 'extremely concerning and disturbing', noting the meticulous nature of the accused's activities. Burns-Dederer is said to have created numerous online profiles, posing as both males and females, to predominantly target boys aged between five and 15 years old. He reportedly maintained organised, labelled folders documenting all his interactions.
Charges and Court Proceedings
The extensive list of charges includes:
- 244 counts of producing child abuse material for use through a carriage service
- 163 counts of using a carriage service to procure persons under the age of 16
- 87 counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child using a carriage service
Burns-Dederer's case was mentioned in Brisbane Magistrate's Court on Thursday, where he did not appear and made no application for bail. Authorities also confirmed that one other man has been charged in connection with the alleged offences.
Police Warning to Parents and Carers
Chief Superintendent Clark emphasised the growing threat of online grooming, stating: '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.'
He highlighted the significant trauma inflicted on young victims and praised the dedication of investigators, noting that 'the process of identification took time, skill and commitment' due to the sheer volume of material recovered.
The detective urged parents and caregivers to take proactive, ongoing measures to safeguard children's online activities, reinforcing that law enforcement will persist in pursuing such cases to protect vulnerable young people from digital exploitation.
