At a media conference in Vaughan, OPP Chief Superintendent Don BELL announced details of the investigation, along with existing and new members of the Provincial Strategy’s police partners who were instrumental in bringing this investigation to a successful conclusion.

A total of 99 search warrants were executed, resulting in 249 charges against 60 persons, including three youths who cannot be identified under terms of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Charges include Sexual Assault, Possession of Child Pornography, Make Available Child Pornography, Distribution of Child Pornography, Making Child Pornography, and Accessing Child Pornography. Quantities of drugs and prohibited weapons were also seized during the operations. In addition, 14 child victims have been identified during the investigation.

Police displayed an animated map depicting more than 7,000 individual Internet Protocol (or IP) addresses over a period of 180 days that had been identified as download candidates for suspected child pornography in various urban and rural communities. From its inception in August 2006 to August 2014 – not including this week’s activities – the Provincial Strategy has completed 23,581 investigations and laid 8,750 charges against 2,617 people. During that period, 534 child victims have been identified and rescued in Ontario. Another 51 child victims were identified from outside of Ontario.

“The creation and distribution of images of child sexual abuse; the luring of young people by predators; and the proliferation of Internet sites continue to be major concerns to police worldwide. The Provincial Strategy demonstrates the success that police services can achieve when working together and sharing our best practices and information.” – Chief Superintendent Don BELL, Commander of OPP Investigation and Support Bureau

Members of the OPP Child Sexual Exploitation Unit (CSEU) also took the opportunity to encourage children, teens, parents and guardians to proactively increase their own awareness of online safety issues. Since 2007 to May 2014, OPP CSEU has completed 4,246 investigations and laid 1,868 charges against 513 people.

The complete list of arrested persons and their respective charges have been appended to this media release (see ADDENDUM – Charged Persons). The investigation continues and additional arrests are pending.

“This investigation highlights the pervasiveness of Internet-based dangers of child luring, sexual exploitation and abuse. Children, teens and parents also have a responsibility to educate themselves to ensure their Internet and social networking experiences can be as rewarding as they want it to be and as safe as it needs to be. Because every child matters…everywhere.” – Inspector Scott NAYLOR, Manager – OPP Child Sexual Exploitation Unit

LEARN MORE:

• For information regarding the accused, Municipality of Residence, and Charge Information, see ADDENDUM – Charged Persons below.