Brisbane personal trainer's arrest in the US caught on camera
Updated . First published at
Caught in a predator sting, pleading with police - A Current Affair has obtained arrest footage "Creepy Craig" never wanted you to see.
He's the disgraced Brisbane personal trainer who sent explicit images to a minor while overseas.
"Craig?" a US Marshall said banging on his Texas hotel door.
READ MORE: Robbie Williams heading Down Under with new album that broke Beatles record
Craig flew to the US to watch the Crossfit Games but was caught in the police sting targeting child predators. Nine
"Yeah?" Craig said, opening the door naked.
"Police Department. Step on out here," the officer said.
"I'm naked," Craig responded.
"We got a warrant for your arrest," police replied.
"Why?" Craig asked.
Craig Bridgland never expected the teenage girl he'd been talking to online was actually an undercover officer.
"I'm supposed to be up in three hours to go fly back to Australia and I really don't know why you're here," Craig said as the officers put underwear on him.
"So apparently you've been talking to kids online when you shouldn't be. You got a warrant for online solicitation of a minor," police told Craig.
Craig runs Blueprint Health and Fitness out of his Brisbane garage.
That's where he's also been seen training children, despite not having a blue card.
He was also a coach at a popular gym but they sacked him when they found out about his criminal past.
Craig flew to the US to watch the Crossfit Games but was caught in the police sting targeting child predators.
READ MORE: Pizza shop owner caught charging at young worker and dad with spatula
Craig runs "Blue Print Health and Fitness" out of his Brisbane garage. Nine
"We don't want him here. I don't know that you want him there either, but that is his home. He's not welcome here," Texas District Attorney Matt Rivers told A Current Affair.
"I have been a prosecutor here in Texas for 12 years. I certainly don't want him being around children."
Craig had matched with an undercover officer posing as a girl on the dating app Bumble.
"He was trying to have sex with an underage kid. He is dealing with someone that he understands and believes to be 15 years old, which is not OK," Rivers said.
"There are recordings of Craig talking to this undercover officer who sounds very convincing. This officer made it known what her age was. They are engaging in the conversation both via phone call but also through text."
A Current Affair has obtained the entire interaction.
"I lied about my age on the app I'm about to be 16 though," the undercover officer wrote.
"So you wanna come over then?" Craig texted.
"I want to f--- you," he stated.
"Do you want to lose your virginity?" he asked.
Craig had matched with an undercover officer posing as a girl on the dating app Bumble. Nine
Craig then sent explicit vision of himself and they FaceTime.
"Well, if I come there and we get along, are you going to come back to my hotel?" Craig asked.
"Yeah," the undercover officer replied.
"And you're willing to come and have sex with a guy who is twice your age, nearly three times your age? And you've never had sex before?" Craig questioned.
"I mean, if I'm going to do it. The guys at my school are so stupid," the officer responded.
"Are you on any birth control?" Craig asked.
"My mum put me on birth control last year because she thought I was having sex but I wasn't," the undercover officer said.
"Send me the address and I'll come," he requested.
But Craig wasn't going anywhere but the slammer.
"How would you describe someone like Craig?" A Current Affair asked Rivers.
"Typical. Typical for this kind of work. It's unfortunate. It makes me sick. He's a narcissist. I think that he is someone who believes that he can get away with these kinds of things," Rivers said.
Craig was charged with online solicitation of a minor but pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of harassment.
READ MORE: 'They have no loyalty': Private rape crisis call read out in court
Craig was fined and flew home to Brisbane hoping no one would find out. Nine
He was fined and flew home to Brisbane hoping no one would find out.
"Creepy Craig, you're out of hiding now," A Current Affair said confronting Craig as he was about to play a round of golf.
"Jesus Christ," Craig stated in shock.
"Do you think it's OK to send nudes to an underage girl? Are you a child predator Craig? Everyone knows now about your inappropriate behaviour over in the States. Are you still training children in your garage Craig?" A Current Affair asked.
Now his fellow members at the Virginia Golf Club want him gone with serious concerns for the children who play there.
"Do you think parents will be very happy that you're on the golf course today with children? Do you really think the golf course wants you to be here?" A Current Affair questioned Craig.
A Current Affair has spoken with members of Virginia Golf Club who tell us it won't ban Craig because he isn't accused of any inappropriate behaviour towards children in Australia.
They are infuriated by this but won't go on camera in fear their membership will be cancelled.
"I'm disgusted. I wish that there were more ways for us law enforcement internationally to do something about that," Rivers said.
"It's not OK over here, and it shouldn't be OK over there."
A Current Affair contacted the golf club to ask why it's welcoming Craig, but received no response to our email.
We also gave Craig another opportunity to respond to questions, we didn't hear back.
We’d love to hear from you
