Man who ran a photographic studio in Brisbane is accused of using the business as a front to rape and abuse children.

The 38-year-old Geebung man has been charged with 79 offences, including rape, indecent treatment, making child exploitation material and taking a child for immoral purposes.

He was arrested by detectives from the State Crime Command’s Taskforce Argos on Thursday morning.

The man, who claimed to specialise in “fine art photography” and “artistic dance portraits” of young children, allegedly picked out his victims on Facebook.

Detective Inspector Jon Rouse of Taskforce Argos said the Enoggera based photographic studio was used as a front to “procure and abuse children”.

“This protracted investigation has culminated today in a significant number of very serious charges and the arrest of an individual that we will be alleging utilised a purportedly legitimate business as a front to procure and abuse children,” he said.

“The most important message today is to anyone that has any information they would like to provide police that may assist us in this or any other investigation, then we encourage them to call Crime Stoppers or Policelink.”  Phone 131 444.

He is formally charged with;

26 counts of indecent treatment
30 counts of carnal knowledge of child under 16
13 counts of take child for immoral purposes
Seven counts of rape
One count each of making CEM, supplying dangerous drugs to minor and stupefying in order to commit indictable offence.

The man was expected to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday morning, 20 January.

However 9 news reports it has been adjourned to a later date.

The 38-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, did not apply for bail at his first appearance in Brisbane Magistrates Court today, where his case was adjourned to February 20.

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