An investigation involving multiple police services along with Barrie Police has led to the arrest and charge of a Bancroft man on multiple child exploitation offences.
Search warrants were executed at residences in Bancroft and Phelpston as a result of the investigation.
It was carried out in association with the following police forces:
- Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Child Sexual Exploitation Unit (CSEU)
- OPP Digital Forensics Unit
- Waterloo Regional Police
- Barrie Police Service
- Huronia West OPP
- Bancroft OPP
Barrie Police says its role was in assisting with the execution of the search warrant.
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Police seized a several electronic devices during their search, and arrested a 51-year-old man from Bancroft in the process.
He was charged under the following sections of the Criminal Code:
Criminal Code (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-46) section 163.1(2) - six counts
Every person who makes, prints, publishes or possesses for the purpose of publication any child pornography is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 14 years and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of one year.
Criminal Code (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-46) section 171.1(1)(b) - seven counts
Every person commits an offence who transmits, makes available, distributes or sells sexually explicit material to a person who is, or who the accused believes is, under the age of 16 years, for the purpose of facilitating the commission of an offence under section 151 or 152, subsection 160(3) or 173(2) or section 271, 272, 273 or 280 with respect to that person;
Criminal Code (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-46) section 172.1(1)(a)
Every person who, in the home of a child, participates in adultery or sexual immorality or indulges in habitual drunkenness or any other form of vice, and by doing so endangers the morals of the child or renders the home an unfit place for the child to be in, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years;
Criminal Code (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-46) section 172.1(1)(b) - nine counts
Every person who, in the home of a child, participates in adultery or sexual immorality or indulges in habitual drunkenness or any other form of vice, and by doing so endangers the morals of the child or renders the home an unfit place for the child to be in, is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.
"The responsibility of protecting our children in today's digital age cannot be overstated. I encourage every member of our community to stay informed about the online risks young people face. said OPP CSEU detective staff sergeant Chris Barkey in a news release. "Parents, in particular, play a crucial role-engage in open conversations with your children, establish clear boundaries, and make use of available resources to help ensure their safety online."
After a bail hearing, the man is still in custody and is scheduled to appear in a Belleville court today.
The OPP says it will continue to aggressively identify and pursue individuals who use technology to exploit children.
