Michael O’Brien: Williamtown RAAF mechanic guilty of procuring girl, 13, for sexual activity
Shocking details of how a 48-year-old defence worker used social networking website ‘ChatIW’, to strike up a conversation with a 13-year-old girl before the conversation turned sexual.
Newcastle
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A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) mechanic at Williamtown charged with trying to procure sex with a teenage girl, telling her he’d teach her how to perform oral sex, has pleaded guilty.
Michael O’Brien, 48, used social networking website ‘ChatIW’, using the name ‘NSWGuy’, to strike up a conversation with a 13-year-old girl before the conversation turned sexual.
But that young girl was actually investigators from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad Child Exploitation Internet Unit, who had commenced a covert operation online from December 13 last year.
Police facts detailed how O’Brien initially talked to the fictitious teenager about the beach and activities they liked to do before the conversation moved to her body and bra size, before exchanging photographs.
In a shocking two months of communications, police facts revealed how O’Brien also talked about masturbation, sex toys and that he wanted to teach her how to perform oral sex and have sexual intercourse.
There was also conversations about meeting up, although that never eventuated before he was finally arrested in-front of workmates at the RAAF base on January 21.
Forensic examination of O’Brien’s phone discovered 77 images of Category 2 child abuse material and four videos on a hard drive.
At Newcastle Local Court on Monday O’Brien — who is currently in custody — did not appear via video link, but his solicitor entered pleas of guilty to using a carriage service to procure a person under 16 years for sexual activity and possessing child abuse material using a carriage service.
Another charge of possessing child abuse material using a carriage service was withdrawn.
Each charges carries a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.
The matters were committed to the District Court for sentence on October 15.
Following the charges, O’Brien’s employment at the Williamtown RAAF base was suspended in February, he was also discharged from the military on March 18.