Police have arrested 33 people and laid a total of 136 criminal offences as part of Project Series, a coordinated effort targeting online child sexual exploitation.
According to investigators, from February 9 to 13, 23 police services including Barrie, working with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Child Sexual Exploitation Unit (CSEU), conducted online investigations to gain access to chatrooms and social media apps to identify individuals attempting to exploit children.
Two Barrie residents were among those arrested.
A 37-year-old is facing four charges, including two counts of luring a person under 16, and one count of making child sexual abuse and exploitation material, as well as a provincial offence.
Another suspect, identified by police as an adult male, has been charged with two counts of making an agreement or arrangement to commit a sexual offence against a child.
Highlights from the operation:
- All accused are male, aged 16 to 67.
- Two repeat offenders were identified.
- Six child victims were identified, provided with support, and are safe.
- One accused arrived at a meeting location with items intended to facilitate offences, including personal lubricants.
- 36 investigations remain ongoing.
"These findings underscore the serious risk posed to children in our communities, including the potential for harm when offenders seek to transition from online communication to in-person contact," OPP said in a news release.
