Sex Crimes Squad detectives have charged a priest with alleged child sex offences under Strike Force Trawler.

Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing investigation by Sex Crimes Squad’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and related telecommunications devices.

In December 2024, strike force detectives commenced an investigation into a religious leader allegedly grooming a 14-year-old boy online.

About 12pm yesterday (Monday 23 December 2024), strike force detectives arrested a 77-year-old man in Pendle Hill.

The man was taken to Granville Police Station, where he was charged with use carriage service-procure under 16 years for sex with another and use carriage service to send indecent material to person under 16.

He was refused bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court today (Tuesday 24 December 2024).

Investigations under Strike Force Trawler continue.