Sex Crimes Squad detectives have charged a Newcastle man following an investigation into alleged child grooming and the accessing of child abuse material.
Strike Force Trawler personnel executed a search warrant at a home in Waratah about 11.30am on Thursday 1 February.
It followed ongoing inquiries by the Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and related telecommunications devices.
As part of the investigation, a 26-year-old male was identified allegedly using a number of social media platforms to allegedly groom underage girls for sex.
He also had access to, and shared, child abuse material.
The man was arrested at the Waratah premises and taken to Waratah Police Station.
He was later charged with eight offences, including use carriage service to groom under 16 years for sex, use carriage service to send indecent material to person, use carriage service to solicit child abuse material, possess/control child abuse material-use carriage service, possess prohibited drug and three counts of use carriage service to access child abuse material.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Friday 2 February.
Inquiries under Strike Force Trawler continue.
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