Detectives from the State Security Investigation Group have charged a 47-year-old man as a result of their investigation into the distribution of leaflets containing alleged obscene material.
Between July 2024 and March 2026, approximately forty reports were made to police regarding the distribution of thousands of leaflets throughout the Perth metropolitan area. The State Security Investigation Group and Perth Detectives initiated an investigation, culminating in the arrest of the accused.
It will be alleged the distributed leaflets contained indecent commentary and images of adult men within the LGBTQI+ community. Some of the leaflets also contained alleged obscene images.
On Wednesday, 29 April 2026, a search warrant was executed at a residence in Gosnells, and electronic devices were seized.
A 47-year-old Gosnells man has been charged with five counts of leaving an indecent or obscene article in or upon a place.
He is due to appear before the Perth Magistrates Court on 15 July 2026.
The investigation is ongoing and police urge anyone with information relating to this matter, or any similar incidents, to contact Crime Stoppers via www.crimestopperswa.com.au or calling 1800 333 000.
The incident have occurred a cross a wide range of Perth suburbs over more than a 12-month period. OUTinPerth first highlighted the distribution of the flyers in January 2026 and reported that some of the alleged victims of the campaign had initially been turned away by WA Police.
Following the initial report of flyers being received in mailboxes in Victoria Park, more were reported in other suburbs, including Subiaco, West Leederville, Highgate, Mount Lawley, Maylands, Bayswater and Victoria Park.
The story gained the attention of community leaders, politicians and the Western Australian police who launched a significant investigation. Other media outlets also began to report on the growing number of where people were discovering the flyers in their letterboxes with incidents reported widely taking in suburbs including Dianella and Gosnells.
Pride WA board member Gregory Helleren shared his experience of being a victim of the campaign when a series of the flyers accused him of being a pedophile.
The ongoing campaign against the LGBTIQA+ community also highlighted that Western Australian lacks vilification laws to protect community members, and saw some MPs calling for urgent law reform.
