9 June 2020

Bega man charged with possession and control of child abuse material

| Sharon Kelley
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NSW Police

NSW Police seized a mobile phone, laptop and electronic storage device during the search. Photo: File.

A 38-year-old Bega man has been charged over the alleged possession of child abuse material following an investigation by Strike Force Trawler detectives.

Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) investigated the man in April this year for allegedly obtaining and uploading child abuse material online.

Detectives from the strike force and the South Coast Police District executed a search warrant at a home in Bega just before 10:10 am on Thursday, 21 May after extensive investigations.

Officers seized a mobile phone, laptop and electronic storage device during the search.

A 38-year-old man was arrested and taken to Bega Police Station where he was charged with two counts of possess/control child abuse material using a carriage service. He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Bega Local Court today (9 June).

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 the suspected abuse or exploitation of children should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.

Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. People should not report crime information via Police Facebook and Twitter pages.

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