Queensland Man Jailed for Using Snapchat to Meet 13-Year-Old Boy

A Queensland ferry driver nabbed in a police sting while trying to meet a 13-year-old boy has been jailed for his 'vile' and 'calculated' offending. Luke Edward Reynolds will serve six months behind bars after pleading guilty in the Brisbane District Court to using electronic communication to procure a child under 16, indecent treatment of a child, and possessing child exploitation material.

Reynolds was 28 years old when he sent a photograph of his genitals to a 13-year-old boy he had started grooming through an online chatroom in April 2024. The court heard the sexualized conversation moved to Snapchat, with Reynolds later organizing to meet the boy in Brisbane.

In sentencing Reynolds to two years' imprisonment, with the actual time served to be six months, Judge Brad Farr described the offending as 'horrid' and 'calculated'. He said it had persisted even after the boy became 'nervous' and left on his pushbike.

The court heard the boy's parents had become suspicious of where he had been when they discovered explicit messages from Reynolds on his phone. Reynolds continued messaging the boy, including sending him a photo of his genitals — not realizing he was actually communicating with police officers who the boy's father had contacted to report what occurred.

He was arrested on April 10 when he went to meet who he thought was the boy. He was found with a cooler bag containing a towel, condoms, lubricant, and anal cream. An examination of his phone found images of naked teenage children had been saved, the court heard.

Defence barrister Patrick Wilson said Reynolds was 'sexually naive' and had never had sex before. He said his client was 'remorseful', had been a bit of a 'loner' through life, and suffered from depression and anxiety. Mr. Wilson said the proceedings and their publicity had 'a substantial impact' on Reynolds, pointing to the 'number of journalists' in the courtroom covering the case.

Reynolds was described by his defense lawyer as 'someone who has good prospects of rehabilitation long-term'. Judge Farr accepted Reynolds' remorse but said the offending showed 'little thought' to the potential harm posed to the victim. 'Your behavior has been described as predatory, protracted, and calculated … which seems apt,' he said. 'Even after the child exhibited … concern at following through … and perhaps even fear, you persisted to try and encourage him. A sentence which reflects public denunciation of such vile conduct is relevant.'

According to the source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation.