Strike Force Trawler detectives have charged a man following an investigation into alleged online child exploitation offences on the state's Central Coast.
In July last year, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad's Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) began engaging online with a man from the state's Central Coast.
Police will allege in court that the man believed he was speaking with the 36-year-old mother of a nine-year-old girl and engaged in sexually explicit conversations about acts he wished to perform on the child.
It will be further alleged the man believed he was separately speaking with a 14-year-old girl and engaged in sexually explicit conversations about acts he wished to perform on the child.
Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives arrested a 66-year-old man at a home near Tuggerah about 8am today (Tuesday 12 January 2021).
A search warrant was subsequently executed at the home, where detectives seized a computer and mobile phone, which will undergo further examination.
The man was taken to Wyong Police Station and charged with incite to commit sexual intercourse with child under the age of 10 years, use carriage service transmit/publish/promote child abuse and use carriage service to groom under 16 years for sex.
He was refused bail to appear at Wyong Local Court today.
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.
