In October 2018, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) began engaging online with a man from Appin.

Police allege the man believed he was speaking with a 14-year-old girl and engaged in conversations about sexual acts he wished to perform on the child and sent sexually explicit images and video.

The man also made arrangements to meet with the child for sex.

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Following extensive inquiries the alleged offender was arrested by detectives about 4.45pm on Thursday.

During a search of the man’s home investigators seized a mobile phone, a computer tablet, and a number of electronic storage devices, which will undergo forensic analysis.

The man was taken to Campbelltown Police Station and charged with using a carriage service to procure persons under 16 years of age.

He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Friday.

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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 on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/