32-year-old charged with grooming offences

Facing court

ACT Policing has charged a 32-year-old Theodore man with grooming offences following search warrant activity yesterday.

In December 2019, ACT Policing’s Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Team investigators received information relating to an Instagram user allegedly engaging in online grooming and procurement activities with a 15 year old girl. 

The user was identified and a targeted investigation commenced.  

Police will allege that online activity between the 32-year-old and the girl progressed to physical contact.

Yesterday (8 May 2020) search warrants were executed at an address in Theodore where a number of electronic devices were seized and will be examined by AFP Digital Forensics.

The man was charged with using a carriage service to procure a person under the age of 16 years and using a carriage service to groom a person under the age of 16. Further charges are expected to be laid following examination of the seized electronic devices.

The man is expected to appear before the ACT Magistrates Court today.

Anyone with information about instances of child grooming should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously.

 

Media enquiries

Police Media — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au

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