A Lake Macquarie man will appear in court today charged by Strike Force Trawler detectives following an investigation into the alleged online grooming and procuring of a child.
Last month, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) began engaging online with a man from Morriset.
Police will allege in court that the man believed he was speaking with a 14-year-old girl and engaged in conversations about sexually-explicit acts he wished the child to perform and sent explicit material.
It will also be alleged that the man arranged to meet the girl in person.
Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives arrested a 40-year-old man at a business in Mannering Park about 2.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 30 June 2020).
Investigators seized the man’s phone before he was taken to Wyong Police Station and charged with
use carriage service to procure child under 16 years for sexual activity.
He was refused bail to appear at Wyong Local Court today (Wednesday 1 July 2020).
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.
The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.
Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation 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. People should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.
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