Commonwealth Bank executive charged in child exploitation case

A senior Commonwealth Bank executive has been extradited to Queensland and charged after allegedly attempting to procure two underage girls for sex at a Brisbane hotel.

Christopher McCann, 50, was arrested by NSW detectives at Sydney Airport on Tuesday.

He was then extradited to Brisbane and appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday, facing one count of using electronic communication to procure a child under 16 for a sexual act.

Police will allege Mr McCann befriended a Brisbane sex worker and convinced her to lure two teenage girls to a hotel in May.

The group allegedly met one night, but a concerned hotel staff member raised the alarm.

Queensland authorities were first alerted after the NSW Police sex crimes squad launched Strike Force Coalhurst in March to investigate Mr McCann’s alleged attempts to procure a child under 16.

Police identified him while he was visiting Brisbane and referred the case to Queensland’s child exploitation unit, Taskforce Argos.

Officers launched a two-month investigation, and a Queensland court later issued a warrant for his arrest.

Mr McCann was taken into custody by NSW detectives on July 9.

Argos Detective Acting Inspector Cameron Burke said the arrest served as a stark reminder to anyone seeking to exploit or harm children.

“Argos investigators and police across the country work collaboratively to share information, intelligence and investigative assistance,” Inspector Burke said.

“We are constantly online, working tirelessly to identify and apprehend offenders.

“Our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community remains unwavering, and we will continue to pursue those who pose a threat to children.”

Sex crimes squad commander Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty said the arrest was the result of strong interagency co-operation and a common goal of keeping communities safe.

“Working closely with Queensland Police, we were able to track a suspect who believed interstate travel would allow him to evade detection. He was wrong,” Superintendent Doherty said.

“These joint efforts demonstrate that our law enforcement capabilities don’t stop at state borders. If you fly interstate to commit crimes, know that our reach is national.”

Mr McCann’s matter was briefly mentioned in court on Thursday and is expected to return on Friday.