A New South Wales man has been charged with child abuse offences after allegedly exploiting a teenager in the US.
Police allege the 39-year-old man used a social media platform to contact a 13-year-old girl in New Jersey, US, engaging her in sexual activity since January 2024.
The 39-year-old was arrested at 9.40am yesterday at a home in Taree, after a referral from the New Jersey State Police.
He has been charged with “engaging in sexual activity with a child under 16 outside of Australia”.
He has also been charged with 12 other child abuse offences including three counts of possessing child abuse material and four counts of using a carriage service to transmit, publish, and promote child abuse.
“If you do the wrong thing to a child – whether here or overseas – we can still find you and you are still answerable to an Australian court,” Detective Acting Superintendent Kirsty Hales said.
“With school holidays approaching, this arrest is also a timely reminder to parents to encourage open conversations with their children about the dangers of talking to strangers online.
“Children need to know it’s never too late to talk to a trusted parent, adult or friend, and there are steps the police can take to help them – no matter how far an online relationship may have progressed.”
The arrest was made by the Sex Crimes Squad’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit as part of Strike Force Trawler.
Investigations through the strike force continue.
