A 41-year-old children’s book author has been arrested and charged with online grooming 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 the alleged online grooming of children under the direction of Strike Force Trawler.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad launched an investigation in early May after receiving an interstate report alleging a children’s book author was inappropriately communicating with a child online.
“During the investigation, the man allegedly sent inappropriate photos and videos to someone he believed was a 13-year-old girl,” police said.
Following an investigation, police executed a search warrant at a house in Old Guildford at 8am on Friday.
Detectives arrested the 41-year-old and seized several electronic devices.
NSW Police arrested Oliver Phommavanh at his home in Western Sydney
The children’s author has been charged with grooming a child online
The man was taken to Fairfield Police Station where he was charged with using a carriage service to groom someone under the age of 16 for sex and using a carriage service to solicit someone under the age of 16 for sexual activity.
Detectives allege the man used his position as a children’s book author to inappropriately interact with children online.
Phommavanh grew up in Western Sydney and calls himself an author, comedian and teacher.
He has written books, including ‘Thai-riffic!’ and ‘The Other Christy’ and was an ambassador for the NSW Premier’s reading challenge.
Phommavanh appeared in Fairfield Local Court on Friday where he was granted conditional bail
The bail conditions include not being allowed near schools or other areas where children congregate
He appeared at Fairfield Local Court on Friday where he was granted bail by a magistrate.
The bail conditions include a $5,000 bond, not using or possessing an internet-enabled device, and not entering or loitering in places of education or entertainment that people under the age of 18 have access to, such as schools, parks and shopping centres.
He will appear in Parramatta Local Court on July 9.