An Appin man will face court today after being charged by Strike Force Trawler detectives over an alleged online procurement of a child for sex.
In October 2018, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) began engaging online with a man from the Macarthur region.
Police will allege in court that the man believed he was speaking with a 14-year-old girl and engaged in conversations about sexual acts he wished to perform on the child and sent sexually explicit images and video.
The man also made arrangements to meet with the child for sex.
Following extensive inquiries, a 57-year-old man was arrested by strike force detectives at a home at Appin about 4.45pm yesterday (Thursday, January 3).
During a search of the man and a search warrant at the home, investigators seized a mobile phone, a computer tablet, and a number of electronic storage devices, which will undergo forensic analysis.
The man was taken to Campbelltown Police Station and charged with using a carriage service to procure persons under 16 years of age.
He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court later today (Friday, January 4).
Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing investigation by the CEIU into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and related telecommunications devices.
Regular covert online investigations are conducted by the CEIU; and police in NSW work closely with their law-enforcement colleagues interstate and overseas.
Anyone with information about internet predators should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/
Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
