Accused child predator to remain in custody
Robyn Wuth |
A man charged with abusing hundreds of children around the world using social media and gaming sites will remain behind bars.
Ethan Mitch Burns-Dederer, 27, from Maryborough north of Brisbane faces almost 600 offences against children aged five to 15.
Burns-Dederer hid behind false identities online to groom and coerce children in Australia and overseas, police allege.
The accused has been in custody since his arrest in February 2025 and the matter was mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday.
Burns-Dederer did not appear in court, where his case was adjourned to July for further mention before an expected committal hearing.
Police this week unveiled the vast haul of charges after an exhaustive year-long investigation to identify alleged victims from among 23,000 photographs and videos.
More than 360 victims have been identified, including more than 200 across Australia.
The material was found on hard drives and electronic devices during a raid of his Maryborough home in February 2025.
The alleged offending involves 459 victims, primarily aged between seven and 15, in 15 countries.
Burns-Dederer is accused of creating multiple fake online profiles on popular social media and gaming sites.
He allegedly used them to groom, coerce and threaten children into sending him sexually explicit material, recording the interactions.
The offending was ongoing from 2018 until his arrest.
It had been “disturbing and distressing” for the young people and their families involved, Detective Acting Chief Superintendent Denzil Clark said on Thursday.
Burns-Dederer was charged under Operation Xray Wick featuring Queensland, national and international law enforcement.
“Due to the volume of images seized and the number of victims identified, we are continuing this investigation,” Det Clark said.
He said other offenders had been identified, with another person charged as investigations remained ongoing.
“This is extremely concerning and disturbing offending,” he said.
“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.”
Burns-Dederer’s charges included 244 counts of producing child abuse material for use through a carriage service and 163 counts of using a carriage service to procure persons under 16 years of age.
He also faces a further 87 counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child using a carriage service.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
AAP
