Christopher James McCann, sex worker charges: Everything we know so far
A high-profile bank executive and an 18-year-old sex worker have been charged with procuring a child. This is everything we know so far.
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A high-profile bank executive and an 18-year-old sex worker have been charged with procuring a child.
As the case continues, this is everything we know so far >>>
What is the alleged timeline of events?
NSW Police Force officers and State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad established Strike Force Coalhurst in March to investigate Christopher James McCann.
McCann, 50, was extradited to Queensland on Thursday night after New South Wales Police arrested him at Sydney Airport.
The detectives found he allegedly made attempts to procure the child and the matter was referred to Queensland Police Service’s child exploitation unit, Taskforce Argos.
Following an extensive investigation from both police services, a warrant for his arrest was granted and he was arrested at Sydney Airport last week.
Brisbane sex worker, Shauntelle Went, 18, was also charged with procuring a child for McCann, and had her case mentioned in court last Thursday.
Both McCann and Went’s matters faced Brisbane Arrests Court again on Friday, where prosecutor Jordan Theed said the circumstances of the case were “unusual”.
Went’s matter was briefly mentioned at Brisbane Arrest Court on Saturday and adjourned for a bail application on Monday.
McCann on July 14 was granted bail as more details emerged during the court appearance.
It was later revealed one of the girls allegedly procured by a Brisbane sex worker for a high-flying bank executive lives in a residential care house.
The Courier-Mail revealed the 15-year-old girl is in the care of the Department of Child Safety, and lives in a residential care house under supervision.
What are the charges?
Police will allege McCann used Brisbane sex worker, Shauntelle Went, 18, to procure a teenage girl on his behalf while he was visiting Brisbane from Sydney on May 15.
McCann has been charged with one count of using electronic communication to procure a child under 16 for a sexual act.
His co-accused, Went, was arrested on Friday and charged with using electronic communication to procure a child under 16 for a sexual act.
McCann and Went are both charged with using the internet to procure a child under 16.
Went’s lawyer indicated she would be contesting the charge.
Who is Christopher James McCann?
Christopher James McCann, 50, is listed as the head of health and social infrastructure at Commonwealth Bank in Sydney.
McCann’s LinkedIn lists him as having 20 years’ experience in finance where he worked for multiple of the country’s biggest banks, including starting at Commonwealth Bank nine months ago.
Commonwealth Bank declined to comment on the matter.
Who is Shauntelle Went?
Shauntelle Went, 18, is a Brisbane sex worker charged with procuring a teenage girl on McCann’s behalf while he was visiting the city from Sydney on May 15.
Went’s online sex work footprint was revealed, with social media posts claiming she made $16,000 in two days through her Only Fans account.
Her biography on TikTok labels Went “your favourite seller”.
What happened in court?
Both McCann and Went’s matters faced Brisbane Arrests Court on Friday, where prosecutor Jordan Theed said the circumstances of the case were “unusual”.
“It’s somewhat unusual in the circumstances where the allegations are that Mr McCann has used the co-accused – being an 18-year-old sex worker – to procure the child for the alleged offending,” Mr Theed said.
Legal aid duty lawyer Lana Millar said Ms Went was still in the process of attempting to contact a lawyer.
A group of people attended court in support of Went and declined to speak to media outside court.
Defence lawyer Evan O’Hanlon-Rose had foreshadowed earlier in proceedings that McCann would be making an application for bail, until Went was arrested.
Magistrate Julian Noud said it would be best for the applications to proceed together, and adjourned both matters to Monday.
McCann and Went were both granted bail on strict conditions.
What have police said?
Argos Detective Acting Inspector Cameron Burke said the arrest serves as a stark reminder to anyone seeking to exploit or harm children.
“Argos investigators and police across the country work collaboratively to share information, intelligence and investigative assistance. We are constantly online, working tirelessly to identify and apprehend offenders,” Inspector Burke said.
“Our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community remains unwavering, and we will continue to pursue those who pose a threat to children.”
“Working closely with Queensland Police, we were able to track a suspect who believed interstate travel would allow him to evade detection. He was wrong,” Det Supt Doherty said.
“These joint efforts demonstrate that our law enforcement capabilities don’t stop at state borders. If you fly interstate to commit crimes, know that our reach is national.”
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