A Far South Coast man has appeared in court for the first time on child sex grooming offences _after being arrested in what has been revealed as an undercover sting.
68-year-old John Lloyd Olsen from Congo was arrested yesterday by Sex Crimes Squad detectives for allegedly attempting to groom a child online following an investigation under Strike Force Trawler.
“Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing investigation by State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and related telecommunications devices,” police said in a statement issued this morning.
“In October 2026, strike force detectives commenced an investigation into the online activities of a 68-year-old man?” The statement reads.
“About 8.45am yesterday (Tuesday 20 October 2026) strike force detectives arrested a 68-year-old man in Moruya.
“At the same time, a search warrant was executed at a property in Congo where police seized a number of items.
The man was taken to Batemans Bay Police Station where he was charged with carriage under 16 for sender and sexual intercourse child under 10.”
Police revealed in the Bail Review Court this afternoon, the self-employed IT specialist was apprehended in an undercover operation at a Moruya caravan park.
Police Prosecutor Sergeant Perry told the court it is a very strong prosecution case and they opposed Olsen’s application to be released on bail.
“In a phone conversation the accused had with the online agent indicated he would meet with the 10-year-old’s mother to perform sexual acts on them,” he stated.
“Further, the accused was arrested at a caravan park in Moruya. The accused indicated on several occasions his intent and desires on sexually harming children between 4 and 10-years-old with the assistance of their mother.
“The accused has previous offences dating back to 1990 for serious assault related offences where he served full-time imprisonment of approximately 14 months.”
Olsen’s lawyer Stewart Holt argued he could show cause why his client should be released on bail.
“He told the court Olsen had a relatively limited criminal history with his last offence dating back to 1992 for a breach of bail.
“He’s lived in his home, his own home which he owns outright, since 1992. He has a brother that lives one suburb away.”
He also disclosed Olsen had significant medical issues. High blood pressure.
“He has not had his medication since yesterday morning. He has two puffers for asthma and takes two different Schizophrenia medications. He was diagnosed around the age of 24,” Mr Holt stated.
“If he goes without that medication, he is likely to become very acutely unwell and psychotic.”
“With that limited history, strong community ties and his health and mental health concerns I was submit that cause has been shown, particularly noting Your Honour, the strictly indictable nature of these charges is that the EAGT procedures apply and there could be some considerable time before these allegations are tested and before his matter is finalised.
“It would be unjustifiable for him to be detained.”
Olsen then interjected in proceedings.
“Your Honour can I speak at this point?”
Judge Keith Alder told the 68-year-old “No, I have just heard from your lawyer. Now I’m going to hear from the police about what their attitude is about bail. I’ll hear from your lawyer, not you at this stage.”
Police argued cause had not been demonstrated by Mr Holt.
Sergeant Perry told the court the accused charges are serious in nature with a custodial sentence likely.
“I submit the Section 5 threshold has been met. Sequence one carries the maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a 15-year-non-parole period,” he said
“Sequence two carries a maximum 15-years imprisonment.
“Police submit the accused presents an unacceptable risk of destroying evidence, a substantial amount of evidence materially stored on cloud-based platforms and encrypted messaging applications remotely. The accused holds an intimate and advanced knowledge of IT systems.
“He is currently self employed as a computer programmer where he is designing an online logistics platform. As such police have serious fears that if granted bail the accused will destroy or alter material critical to ongoing forensics investigations into this matter.
Judge Alder told the court bail was being refused.
“In my view there is exceptionally strong, if not overwhelming case against the defendant,” Justice Alder said.
“He’s made a lot of sexual comments about what he would like to do to young children. It’s not just a one-off comment but he’s made many comments.
“The court is satisfied that he poses an unacceptable danger to others and I do note the maximum penalty is life imprisonment for count one.
“Show cause has not been shown and bail is refused.
The matter will be mentioned next in Batemans Bay Local Court on December 14.
“If he wishes to take another course with his bail he can in the interim period,” Justice Alder said.
