A man has been charged with online child exploitation offences as part of an ongoing investigation by detectives from the State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad.
Detectives from Sex Crimes Squad’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) commenced an investigation last month, engaging online with a man from Sydney’s north-west.
Police will allege in court the man believed he was speaking to a 14-year-old girl and engaged in sexually-explicit conversations with the child and made arrangements to meet in person.
Following extensive investigations, strike force officers arrested a 39-year-old man at Parramatta, about 9.45am today.
Shortly after the arrest, detectives executed a search warrant at a home at Kellyville Ridge, where they seized electronic devices.
The man was taken to Parramatta Police Station and charged with use carriage service to procure persons under 16 years for sexual activity.
He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court tomorrow.
Inquiries are continuing.
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, NSW Police say.
