Province-wide arrests of child pornography offenders
ORILLIA, ON, March 10 /CNW/ - Numerous charges have been laid across Ontario following a massive, coordinated, child pornography investigation by the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet.
At a media conference in Toronto, OPP Commissioner Julian FANTINO along with members of the Provincial Strategy's police partners, who were instrumental in bringing this investigation to a successful conclusion, announced details of this investigation.
A total of 44 search warrants were executed, resulting in 122 charges against 35 persons. Charges include Sexual Assault, Possession of Child Pornography, Make Available Child Pornography, Distribution of Child Pornography, Making Child Pornography, Accessing Child Pornography, and various drug offences. In addition, two child victims have been identified during the investigation - one in Ontario and one outside of Canada and numerous charges regarding possession of prohibited weapons have been laid.
Members of the OPP Child Sexual Exploitation Section also took the opportunity to encourage parents and guardians to proactively increase their awareness of Internet safety issues.
Additional arrests are pending and the investigation continues. The complete list of arrested persons and their respective charges have been appended to this media release (see ADDENDUM - Charged Persons).
QUOTES
"Every image of child pornography represents a child victim. Every trading or transmission of that image represents a re-victimization of that child. The police services associated with the Provincial Strategy remain steadfast in their resolve to hunt down these child predators and keep our communities safe." - Julian Fantino - OPP Commissioner (http://www.opp.ca/ecms/index.php?id=22)
"Parents and guardians need to educate themselves about the technology their children are using to adequately protect them. Unfortunately, most parents and guardians are lagging far behind their children in their understanding of web technology." - Inspector Scott Naylor, Manager - OPP Child Sexual Exploitation Section
BACKGROUND
The Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet was created in August 2006 in response to the McGuinty government's request that police develop a coordinated, province-wide approach to combating Internet crimes against children. The Provincial Strategy is jointly supported by the Ministry of the Attorney-General for Ontario and the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.
The Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet is comprised of the OPP Child Exploitation Section and 18 municipal police services. The 18 police services partners include: Barrie PS, Brantford PS, Durham Regional PS, Guelph PS, Greater Sudbury PS, Halton Regional PS, Hamilton PS, Kingston PS, London PS, Niagara Regional PS, Ottawa PS, Peel Regional PS, Sault Ste. Marie PS, Toronto PS, Thunder Bay PS, Waterloo Regional PS, Windsor PS and the York Regional PS. Members of the Peterborough-Lakefield Community Police Service, Sarnia Police, and Cornwall Police Service also conducted investigations and executed search warrants as part of the March 2010 investigation.
Since August 2006 to March 1, 2010, there have been 8,260 investigations completed by the Provincial Strategy partners and OPP Child Sexual Exploitation Section. During that time, 3,394 charges have been laid against 1,130 people in the province of Ontario.
NOTES:
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The entire media kit, including broadcast quality video interviews and b-roll, is available on-line at these links: (English http://www.opp.ca/ecms/index.php?id=489) (Francais http://www.opp.ca/ecms/index.php?id=490)
For information regarding the accused, Municipality of Residence, and Charge Information, see ADDENDUM - Charged Persons.
For information regarding the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet, see BACKGROUNDER - Provincial Strategy.
For information regarding child pornography, see FACT SHEET - Child Pornography and Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet.
For information regarding public safety and crime prevention tips, see BACKGROUNDER - Internet Safety Tips.
To learn more about online child sexual exploitation and to hear a first hand account from a victim, click here http://www.opp.ca/ecms/templates/oppca/player.html?bcpid=61631798001&bclid=61393232001&bctid=62731351001.
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Provincial Strategy to Protect Children
From Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet
March 2010
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ADDENDUM - CHARGED PERSONS
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NAME AGE RESIDENCE CHARGE No. COUNTS COURT DATE
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Young Person 17 Brantford, 2 1 count Possession March 10,
Ontario Child Pornography 2010
1 count Accessing
Child Pornography
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dave DERIVERS 41 Collingwood, 4 1-count Possession March 10,
Ontario Child Pornography 2010
1-count Make Available
Child Pornography
1-count Possession
Prohibited Weapon
1-count Possession of
Controlled Substance
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Casey McTAGGART 23 Collingwood, 2 1-count Possession March 10,
Ontario Child Pornography 2010
1 count Make Available
Child Pornography
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
David Allan 37 Cornwall, 3 2-counts Possession March 10,
GLAUDE Ontario Child Pornography 2010
1-count Make Available
Child Pornography
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richard NAULT 56 Sudbury, 14 1-count Possession March 9,
Ontario Child Pornography 2010
1-count Possession of a
Prohibited Firearm
6-counts Unsafe Storage
of a Firearm/Ammunition
4-counts Unauthorized
Possession of a Firearm
1-count Unauthorized
Possession of Prohibited
Ammunition
1-count Possession of
Cannabis Marihuana
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ryan HOPKINS 27 Sudbury, 16 3-counts Sexual Assault March 22,
Ontario 3-counts Voyeurism 2010
1-count Criminal Harassment
1-count Possession of
Child Pornography
1-count Manufacture Child
Pornography
2-counts Unauthorized
Access to Computer
2-counts Mischief to Data
2-counts Breach of Weapons
Prohibition
1-count Possession of a
Controlled Substance
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adrian COTE 19 Sudbury, 4 2-counts Possession of March 10,
Ontario Child Pornography 2010
1-count Access Child
Pornography
1-count Make Available
Child Pornography
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Young Person 15 Guelph, 2 1-count Possession of April 29,
Ontario Child Pornography 2010
1-count Make Child
Pornography available
for distribution
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liam SELMAN 18 St. Clair, 4 3-counts Possession of March 10,
Ontario Child Pornography 2010
1-count Make Available
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Young Person 16 Stevensville, 2 1-count Possession March 10,
Ontario Child Pornography 2010
1-count Make Available
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corey PHIBBS 18 Stevensville, 2 1-count Possession March 10,
Ontario Child Pornography 2010
1 count Make Available
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kevan BROWNSON 57 Peterborough, 4 2-counts Possession March 8,
Ontario Child Pornography 2010
1-count Make Available
Child Pornography
1-count Making Child
Pornography
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joel CHARLEBOIS 34 Sault Ste. 3 1-count Possession To be
Marie, Ontario Child Pornography determined
1-count Make Available
Child Pornography
1-count Breach of
Probation
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
David MARCEAU 21 Sault Ste. 2 1-count Possession March 10,
Marie, Ontario Child Pornography 2010
1 count Make Available
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Willy 26 Toronto, 3 2-counts Possession Pending
GARCIA-PORRAS Ontario Child Pornography
1-count Make Available
Child Pornography
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jimmy ROCA 36 Toronto, 4 2-counts Possession Pending
Ontario Child Pornography
1-count Import Child
Pornography
1-count Make Available
Child Pornography
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daryl SKREPTAK 30 Windsor, 2 1-count Possession Released
Ontario Child Pornography $10,000
1-count Distribution surety no
Child Pornography deposit
with
conditions
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nirushananthan 32 Markham, 2 1-count Possession of March 10,
THILLAIAMBALAM Ontario Child Pornography 2010
1-count Make Available
Child Pornography
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeff JOSEPH 25 London, 5 2-counts Possession of March 10,
Ontario Child Pornography 2010
1-count Distribution of
Child Pornography
1-count Accessing Child
Pornography
1-count Unauthorized Use
of Computer
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Young Person 15 London, 2 1-count Possession of March 10,
Ontario Child Pornography 2010
1-count Accessing Child
Pornography
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
William Ronald 25 London, 9 2-counts Possession of March 10,
ENGLAND Ontario Child Pornography 2010
1-count Accessing Child
Pornography
1-count Distribution of
Child Pornography
4-counts Possession of
Prohibited weapon
1-count Possession of
Break-in Instruments
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Daniel 61 Thunder Bay, 1 1-count Accessing Child March 10,
BEWCYK Ontario Pornography 2010
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matthew SMITH 21 Ajax, Ontario 1 1-count Make Available March 10,
Child Pornography 2010
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George MILLER 23 Ajax, Ontario 2 1-count Possession of March 10,
Child Pornography 2010
1-count Make available
Child Pornography
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Edwin KHITAB 33 Ottawa, 3 2-counts Possession Unknown
Ontario Child Pornography
1-count Make Available
Child Pornography
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Young Person 17 Ottawa, 3 2-counts Possession Unknown
Ontario Child Pornography
1-count Make Available
Child Pornography
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael 23 Ottawa, 3 2-counts Possession Unknown
McCURDY Ontario Child Pornography
1-count Make Available
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alex MASON 29 Ottawa, 1 1-count Possession of Unknown
Ontario Child Pornography
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jean Michel 26 Ottawa, 1 1-count Possession of Unknown
DUVAL Ontario Child Pornography
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ryan CREAMER 36 Burlington, 3 1-count Possession of March 10,
Ontario Child Pornography 2010
2-counts Make Available
Child Pornography
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert Fletcher 51 Burlington, 3 1-count Possession of March 10,
BURNS Ontario Child Pornography 2010
2-counts make Available
Child Pornography
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alfred Douglas 47 Kingston, 2 1-count Possession of March 10,
STELPSTRA Ontario Child Pornography 2010
1-count Possession of
Prohibited Weapon
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Derek WINGER 19 Waterloo, 2 1-count Possession of March 10,
Ontario Child Pornography 2010
1-count make Available
Child Pornography
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: Two accused are to be apprehended by Peel Regional Police. The information relating to the arrests will be released at a later time.
Provincial Strategy to Protect Children
From Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet
BACKGROUNDER - Provincial Strategy
----------------------------------
- The Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and
Exploitation on the Internet was created in response to the Ontario
government's request that police develop a coordinated, province-wide
approach to combat Internet crimes against children.
- The stated goal of the Provincial Strategy was for the province to
respond to this growing issue as a cohesive, united team, rather than
having each municipal police force develop different approaches to
deal with child pornography, luring and child sexual abuse on the
Internet.
- Police services in Ontario, through the Ontario Association of Chiefs
of Police (OACP) and the OPP, subsequently developed a systematic,
victim-driven, all-encompassing approach to the prevention of child
sexual abuse and exploitation on the Internet.
- The Provincial Strategy aims to effectively address the "complete
picture" of child sexual abuse and exploitation - from the outset of
an investigation, to offender apprehension and management, effective
prosecution and sentencing, victim identification and support, as
well as prevention and awareness.
- Prior to the Provincial Strategy, there was no mechanism in place for
the vital coordination of intelligence, investigative support and
information sharing.
- The OPP Child Sexual Exploitation Section administers the Provincial
Strategy and has formed a Joint Management Team, consisting of senior
officers from the OPP, 18 police services, and Ontario's Ministry of
Community Safety and Correctional Services and the Ministry of the
Attorney General.
- Since August 2006 to March 1, 2010, there have been 8,260
investigations completed by the Provincial Strategy Partners and OPP
Child Sexual Exploitation Section. During that time, 3,394 charges
have been laid against 1,130 people in the province of Ontario.
- The 18 police services include: Toronto Police Service, Peel Regional
Police, Halton Regional Police Service, Hamilton Police Service,
Niagara Regional Police Service, Brantford Police Service, Guelph
Police Service, Waterloo Regional Police Service, London Police
Service, Windsor Police Service, Barrie Police Service, York Regional
Police, Durham Regional Police Service, Kingston Police, Ottawa
Police Service, Greater Sudbury Police Service, Sault Ste. Marie
Police Service and Thunder Bay Police Service.
BACKGROUNDER - Internet Safety Tips
-----------------------------------
What parents/guardians can do to protect their children.
- Be involved and know your child's online activity.
- Keep the computer in an open area of the home.
- Remind children to protect their passwords; encourage them not to
share passwords with friends.
- Use caution with web cams, unplug web cams when they're not in use.
- Be sure of whom they're talking to before allowing them to turn on a
web cam.
- Make sure children are cautious with what they post online.
- Know their online friends the same way they know friends in real
life.
The OPP Crime Prevention Section has a number of tip sheets for both parents and children relating to safe Internet use at www.opp.ca/ecms/index
There are also age-appropriate internet safety tips and games through www.YTV.com. Visit Dr. Frantic's Cyber SAF-e-DRILLS2 website at http://promos.ytv.com/opp2010/default.aspx
FACT SHEET
Child Pornography and Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation
on the Internet
What it is:
- Child pornography is the sexual abuse of children - these are real
children and this is a real crime against the most vulnerable members
of our society.
- Child pornography is a criminal offence that involves victimizing
children through sexual abuse.
What it is not:
---
- Child pornography is not merely an image-based offence, or an offence
against the standards of society, or a censorship issue.
- Child sexual abuse in not "someone else's problem."
Other Facts:
- Collections of child sexual abuse images in circulation on the
Internet involve hundreds of thousands of images and hundreds of
child sexual exploitation videos.
- Internet child sexual abuse is an international problem with
international predators and victims, many of which are here in
Ontario.
- The child victims are increasingly younger and the images are more
violent, in response to a growing appetite for live streaming of
child sexual abuse on the Internet. Ontarians should be concerned
about this emerging trend.
- Often mistaken as victimless or merely image-based offences, most
child pornography/luring offences in Ontario involve the actual
sexual exploitation, sexual assault of children, including infants,
on camera.
- Such cases include images of penetrative sexual activity between
adults and very young children and infants, sexual bondage of
children, bestiality and increasingly "live" web-cam streaming of
real-time abuse of infants and children.
- Those who possess or collect child pornography have a hand in child
sexual abuse and are party to the sexual assault.
- Possessors of child pornography have a very high propensity to be
hands-on abusers, and studies from the United States indicate that
anywhere from approximately 30 percent to 80 percent of collectors of
child sexual abuse images are hands-on abusers.
- Studies also indicate that these abusers have anywhere from 13 to 30
child victims each.
- Only 1 in 10 adults report sexual assault and, sadly, the sexual
assault of children reporting statistics are much less.
- Canadian studies suggest that 19 out of 20 cases of child sexual
abuse go undetected.
- When it comes to child pornography and child sexual abuse, Ontarians
need to adopt the philosophy that "we cannot afford to be a society
of bystanders."
- Knowledge of child pornography and child sexual abuse is everyone's
business and responsibility to report.
For further information: Sergeant Pierre Chamberland, Media Relations Coordinator, Phone: (office) (705) 329-6878, (mobile) (705) 329-7092
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