Nelson man sentenced to three years and six months for possessing and distributing child sexual exploitation material
2 April 2025
A 32-year-old man has been sentenced to 3 years and six months after appearing at the Nelson District Court today. Louis Blaise Fleming pled guilty to three charges for distributing and possessing objectionable imagery depicting the sexual exploitation and abuse of children.
During the examination, investigators found online conversations where Fleming described his sexual desire to abuse young children, acknowledged multiple failed attempts, and admitted to repeated offending against females as young as 15 years old.
The Department’s Digital Child Exploitation Team executed a search warrant with Police at Fleming’s residential address on 12 June 2025, where several items were seized for forensic examination. This included a USB containing over 1,900 files depicting the sexual exploitation and abuse of children as young as approximately 6 years old.
Examination of the devices also showed that Fleming received 11 objectionable images from a New Zealand-based victim and that Fleming separately used an online platform to distribute several files with another offender.
“Individuals, like Fleming, who exploit children online are committing devastating harm. Their actions are predatory, deliberate, and illegal. This behaviour has no place in our society and we, along with our partners, are committed to stopping them,” says Tim Houston, Manager Digital Child Exploitation Team.
Fleming also faces further charges led by New Zealand Police for sexual connection with an underage female.
“Police continue to work tirelessly with a number of partner agencies to prevent this type of offending, and hold any offenders accountable,” says Detective Constable Julian Williams Roper.
“Anybody who is a victim of this offending is urged to contact Police via 105, either over the phone or online.”
The devices used by Fleming to store and access child sexual exploitation material will be destroyed, by order of the Judge and he will be registered on the Child Sex Offender Register.
In 2024, the Digital Child Exploitation team conducted 69 investigations into child exploitation and helped to safeguard 14 New Zealand children from harm. Additionally, the Digital Child Exploitation Filtering System blocked over one million attempts to access websites hosting child sexual abuse material.
ENDS
Notes for media
Support and Resources
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to engage with their tamariki about safe online practices. Guidance on protecting children online is available at KeepItRealOnline.govt.nz.
If you have concerns about potential online harm or wish to report a crime, contact the Digital Child Exploitation Team at DIA. For situations where abuse is occurring or a child is in immediate danger, contact the Police at 111.
- Victims of child or sexual abuse crimes can access help and support services by contacting: https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/child-abuse-directory-information-and-support
- Safe to Talk: 0800 044 334 Text 4334
- Safe Network: 09 377 9898
- WellStop: 04 566 4745
- STOP: 03 353 0257
- Stand Strong, Walk Tall
DIA uses the term child sexual abuse imagery (PDF, 625KB). The term child pornography downplays the harm of child sexual abuse
For more information on the role of the Digital Child Exploitation Team, what is online child sexual exploitation and how to report it visit https://www.dia.govt.nz/Preventing-Online-Child-Sexual-Exploitation
Media Contact:
Media Desk - Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs
Mobile: +64 27 535 8639
Email: media@dia.govt.nz
