Ben McCormack, a 42-year-old reporter for Channel Nine's A Current Affair program, has been charged with using a carriage service for child abuse material. He was arrested in his car on Thursday by detectives from the New South Wales sex crimes squad and taken to Redfern police station.
Police executed search warrants at McCormack's home in Sydney's eastern suburbs and at Nine's headquarters, seizing computers, a mobile phone and electronic storage devices. The arrest was filmed by police and released to the media with McCormack's face blurred.
According to a statement from NSW Police, the investigation was conducted under Strike Force Trawler, which targets online child sexual abuse and exploitation. Police will allege in court that McCormack engaged in sexually explicit conversations about children with an adult male and discussed child pornography.
Channel Nine has suspended McCormack, who has been with the network for 25 years. A Nine spokeswoman said: 'Given the serious nature of the allegations Nine has taken a strong position and immediately suspended Ben McCormack.'
McCormack was granted strict conditional bail and is scheduled to appear at Downing Centre local court on Monday, 1 May.
