A man, 60, has been charged following an investigation by Strike Force Trawler detectives into alleged online procurement, which led to a Gymea home being searched.
A police statement said, last month, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad's Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) began engaging online with a man from Sydney's south.
"Police will allege in court that the man believed he was speaking with a 14-year-old boy and engaged in sexually explicit conversations about acts he wished to perform on the child and sent sexually explicit material," the statement said.
"It will be further alleged that the man made arrangements to meet the child for sex.
"Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives arrested a 60-year-old man at Westmead just before 10.30am Wednesday 4 November.
"A short time later, investigators executed a search warrant at a home in Gymea.
"A laptop and several electronic storage devices were seized and will undergo further examination."
The man was charged with use carriage service to procure child under 16 years for sexual activity and use carriage service to transmit indecent material to a person under 16 years of age.
He was refused bail to appear at Fairfield Local Court
"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," the statement said.
"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."
