A man will appear in court today charged by Strike Force Trawler detectives over the alleged distribution of child pornography.
Following information received in December 2018, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) commenced an investigation into the dissemination of child abuse material.
Following extensive investigations, detectives arrested a 42-year-old man at a unit in Wollongong about 12pm yesterday (Friday 21 February 2020).
Shortly after the arrest, a search warrant was executed at his Wollongong unit where detectives seized electronic storage devices.
The man was taken to Wollongong Police Station and charged with 13 offences including using a carriage device to transmit/publish/promote child pornography (x5), use carriage service to solicit child pornography (x6), use carriage service to menace/harass/offend and use child under 14 years to make child abuse material.
He was refused bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court today (Saturday 22 February 2020).
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.
