Two men arrested at Edmondson Park, Prestons on child abuse material charges

Two men from Sydney’s southwest have been arrested and charged with child abuse material offences, following a strike force investigation by NSW Police. See the photos from the arrest.

Two men have been arrested and charged with child abuse material offences as part of NSW Police’s Strike Force Trawler, a specially trained squad focusing on child exploitation.

A 36-year-old man was arrested at Edmondson Park on May 17, with officers executing a search warrant and allegedly found a mobile phone, iPad, gel blaster, cannabis and a notebook, which were seized for further forensic examination.

He man was taken to Penrith police station where he was charged with possession of an unauthorised firearm, prohibited drugs and child abuse material.

He was refused bail and appeared in Penrith Local Court on May 18, where he was granted strict conditional bail to appear in Liverpool Local Court in June.

On Wednesday, following further extensive inquiries, strike force detectives attended a business on Yarrunga St in Prestons where they arrested Jason Marin.

Sex Crimes Squad have charged a second man (right) following an investigation into child abuse material as part of Strike Force Trawler. Picture: NSW Police

A man was arrested at a business address in Prestons on Wednesday. Picture: NSW Police

The 36-year-old was taken to Liverpool police station where he was charged with nine offences, including six counts of sexual act with a child between 2021 and 2022.

He was also charged with posessing child abuse material on a Samsung mobile phone and iPad Mini 4 between May 18 2021 and May 18 2023.

Marin appeared at Liverpool Local Court handcuffed in the box on Thursday wearing a long sleeve grey shirt and paint-stained pants as one female supporter gathered in the courtroom.

He entered no pleas or an application for bail.

Marin’s solicitor, Mr Stanton, told the court his client was allegedly approached by his ex-partner while in custody.

“Corrective services officers said someone had been there saying to be his attorney, it was his ex-partner,” he said.

The matter was adjourned for August 9 at Campbelltown Local Court.

The arrests come as part of NSW Police’s Trawler strike force. In March, detectives attached to the Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) launched an investigation under Strike Force Trawler after receiving a referral from the AFP regarding alleged online child abuse.

The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.

Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing investigation by the CEIU into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and related telecommunications devices.