A 41-year-old children's 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 Strike Force Trawler.
State Crime Command's Sex Crimes Squad force detectives launched an investigation in early May after receiving an interstate report a children's author was allegedly communicating inappropriately with a child on online.
'During the investigation, the man allegedly sent inappropriate photos and videos to someone who he believed was a 13-year-old girl,' police said.
Following an investigation, police executed a search warrant at an Old Guildford home at 8am on Friday.
Detectives arrested the 41-year-old and seized several electronic devices.
NSW Police arrested Oliver Phommavanh at his Western Sydney residence
The children's author has been charged with allegedly grooming a child online
The man was taken to Fairfield Police Station where he was charged with use of a carriage service to groom someone under 16 years old for sex and use of carriage service to procure someone less than 16 years old for sexual activity.
Detectives allege the man used his position as a children's author to engage inappropriately with children online.
Phommavanh grew up in Western Sydney and is a self-described 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 that he cannot go near schools or other areas children congregate
It is understood Phommavanh has spoken at a number of schools in recent months
He appeared before Fairfield Local Court on Friday where he was granted bail by a magistrate.
The bail conditions include a $5,000 security, not using or possessing any internet capable device, and not entering or loitering around places of education or entertainment accessed by people under 18, such as schools, parks and shopping centres.
He is set to appear at Parramatta Local Court on July 9.
