Convicted child predator Jonathon Henke rearrested after second bust by undercover cops

A newly-paroled child sex offender is back behind bars, having allegedly been caught trawling for children, one as young as four, by another undercover operation.

The moment Jonathon Henke was taken into custody by JACET waiting in a hotel room in his previous arrest. Photo: SAPOL

A newly-paroled child sex offender who was caught by an undercover police sting is back behind bars, having allegedly been caught trawling for children by another undercover operation – even sharing the news coverage of his previous crimes.

In the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Wednesday afternoon, Jonathon David Henke sat silently via video link from the court cells as his lawyer said there would be no application for bail.

The 49-year-old Nuriootpa man was arrested on Tuesday and charged with communicating with the intention of procuring a child for sexual activity online and producing child exploitation material.

In court documents, SA Police said Mr Henke had a prior conviction “in relation to communication he had with an adult female to attend a motel with a child so he could have sex with the child”.

“He was arrested in a motel room with a laptop computer that contained child exploitation material,” police said.

The documents further allege Mr Henke had recently been contacting who he believed was a grandmother with two young grandchildren – and offering her $200 for sex with one of them.

“This matter related to an online covert police officer acting under an assumed identity as a 51-year-old female with two grandchildren, a five-year-old granddaughter and four-year-old grandson,” police said.

“Communication commenced and the accused stated that he was into ‘mother and daughter with no limits’.”

Police allege he then told the woman graphic details about what he wanted to do with the five-year-old granddaughter.

“In communications (on a second platform) he asks if the five-year-old granddaughter had done things sexually and asked if the adult female was a cop several times,” police allege.

“The accused stated that he hated cops as he had previously been ‘set up’ by them. He stated he had been to jail previously doing four out of six years for just talking and going to a motel.

“He stated that he had the room at his house in Nuriootpa if the child could be taken to the address and discussions were made about meeting on the evening of the 25th of February.

“The accused sent a screenshot of news footage of his previous arrest and also a facial image of himself.”

Police said that following his arrest, Mr Henke told them he “had no intention of doing this”.

“It was all just talk,” they allege he said.

On Wednesday, Magistrate Elizabeth Ferris remanded him in custody to face court again in June.

Detective Chief Inspector George Fenwick said the incident highlighted the “realities of child sexual exploitation” online.

“The need for proactive measures is critical for addressing crimes against our children,” Mr Fenwick said.

“Offenders who are prepared to troll the internet seeking opportunities to harm children will be caught.”

Anyone with information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Convicted child predator Jonathon Henke rearrested after second bust by undercover cops