A MAN will face a Hunter court on Wednesday after allegedly attempting to procure a child online.
Specialist investigators from Strike Force Trawler, a division of the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad's Child Exploitation Internet Unit, began engaging with a Maitland man online in March this year.
"Police will allege in court that the man believed he was speaking with a 13-year-old girl and engaged in conversations about sex acts he wished to perform on the teenager and shared sexually explicit material with her," police said in a statement.
"It will also be alleged that the man arranged to meet the girl in person."
Strike force detectives arrested a 36-year-old man at Newcastle's Waratah railway station about 10.10am on Tuesday after extensive inquiries.
They subsequently searched the man's home and confiscated mobile phones, tablets, a laptop and a hard drive.
The 36-year-old was taken to Waratah police station and charged with using a carriage service to procure person under 16 years for sexual activity.
He was denied bail and faced Newcastle Local Court on Tuesday, where he was denied bail.
The man is next due to appear on Wednesday.
Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing focus on the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and telecommunications.
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