WA Police hope to question accused child predator Scott Zirus in Texas regarding his alleged dealings with five Pinjarra and Mandurah children, aged seven to 10-years.
The investigation into Mr Zirus’ dealings with local children, dubbed Operation Bulwer, started in August last year and 14 children were questioned.
Detective Senior Constable Mattison Staples said the investigation had resulted in allegations including Mr Zirus taking photos of a minor, interfering with a minor and indecent dealings. He said the allegations related to five separate incidents over 18 months before Mr Zirus went to the US last May.
Mr Zirus was accused of assaulting three boys while working as a camp counsellor in Texas last year.
He pleaded not guilty to the aggravated sexual assault of a child and continuous sex abuse of a child under 14 years. The trial is set for March 9 in the Kerr County District Court.
The Times spoke with two parents of the five local children. Both said they were distressed when they heard about the US charges against Mr Zirus because their children had attended camps with him. Their children were questioned by police and counselling sessions are planned.
While Mr Zirus had been a local scout leader and former Fairbridge Village employee, Det Sen Const Staples said the five incidents of concern had not involved scouts or Fairbridge camps.
He said camps were safe for children, as long as protocols and guidelines were in place.