A deputy principal from a Sydney high school has been taken into custody and accused of organising to pay for sex with a child.
The 47-year-old was confronted by officers on Monday (7 December) and was later charged with using a carriage service to procure a child under 16 years for sexual activity and to transmit child abuse material.
The Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad's Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) launched an investigation into the man who worked at Kellyville High School, according to 7News.
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Authorities say the man believed he was speaking to a 14-year-old girl as he discussed sexual acts online.
Police are preparing to tell the court that the man organised to meet up with the person he thought was a teenage girl and then pay her for sex.
NSW Police have released a statement, saying: "A search warrant was subsequently executed at a home at Rouse Hill, where detectives seized several items including a laptop and an electronic storage device.
"The man was taken to Granville Police Station and charged with use carriage service to procure child under 16 years for sexual activity and use carriage service to transmit child abuse material.
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"He was bail refused to appear at Fairfield Local Court today (Tuesday 8 December 2020)."
Authorities say they regularly use covert online investigations to nab potential or suspected paedophiles and use that information to not only help catch criminals in New South Wales, but also around Australia and the world.
NSW Police continued: "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 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."
Featured Image Credit: NSW PoliceTopics: Australia