Strike Force Trawler detectives have charged a man from the state’s mid-north coast following an investigation into the alleged online procuring of a child.
In May, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) began engaging online with a man from Taree.
Police will allege in court the man believed he was speaking with a 14-year-old girl and engaged in conversations about sexually explicit acts he wished to perform with the teenager and sent her explicit material.
He also allegedly arranged to meet the young girl in person.
Following extensive inquiries, detectives arrested a 26-year-old man at Forster this morning.
He was taken to Foster Police Station and charged with two counts of using a carriage service to solicit child abuse material, possess/control child abuse material using a carriage service and using a carriage service to procure a child under 16 years for sex.
During a subsequent search of the man’s car, police located a mattress in the rear of the vehicle.
He was refused bail to appear at Forster Local Court today.
Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
