A 41-year-old child author has been arrested and charged with online sexual harassment after allegedly sending inappropriate images to someone he thought was a 13-year-old girl.
NSW Police confirmed Oliver Phommavanh appeared in court on Friday charged with alleged online recruitment of children, under Strike Force Trawler.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Sexual Offenses Team force launched an investigation in early May after receiving an interstate report that a child perpetrator was allegedly communicating inappropriately with a child online.
“During the investigation, the man allegedly sent inappropriate photographs and videos to someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl,” police said.
Following an investigation, police executed a search warrant at a home in Old Guildford at 8am on Friday.
Detectives arrested the 41-year-old man and confiscated several electronic devices.
New South Wales Police arrested Oliver Phommavanh at his residence in western Sydney.
Children’s book author has been accused of allegedly misleading a child online
The man was taken to the Fairfield police station, where he was charged with use of a transportation service to prepare someone under the age of 16 for sexual intercourse and use of a transportation service to procure someone under the age of 16 for sexual activity. sexual.
Detectives allege the man used his position as a children’s book author to interact inappropriately with children online.
Phommavanh grew up in western Sydney and describes himself as an author, comedian and teacher.
He has written books including ‘Thai-riffic!’ and ‘The Other Christy’ and was an ambassador for the New South Wales Premier’s reading challenge.
Phommavanh appeared at Fairfield Local Court on Friday where he was granted conditional bail.
Bail conditions include that he cannot go near schools or other areas where children congregate.
He appeared at Fairfield Local Court on Friday, where a magistrate granted him bail.
Bail conditions include a $5,000 bond, not using or possessing any Internet-enabled device, and not entering or loitering in places of education or entertainment accessed by persons under the age of 18, such as schools, parks and centers. commercial.
He is due to appear at Parramatta Local Court on July 9.