An Illawarra man has been charged and a home at Albion Park searched as part of a covert online investigation into child exploitation.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Officers attached to Strike Force Trawler – an ongoing investigation into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children via the internet and related telecommunications devices – began engaging online with a man from the Illawarra in August.
Police will allege in court the man believed he was speaking to a 13-year-old boy, made numerous indecent comments to the child and sent indecent images.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad arrested a 19-year-old man at Kanahooka about 12.20pm on Thursday.
Police also searched a home at Albion Park, where they seized a laptop and electronic storage devices for forensic examination.
The man was charged with using a carriage service to transmit indecent communication to a person under the age of 16.
He was granted bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court on November 1.
Andrew Pearson
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
