Police arrest 107 in Ontario-wide online child exploitation investigation
More than 100 people have been charged following a massive province-wide investigation into online child exploitation, the Ontario police announced Wednesday.
The month-long initiative, completed in October and known as Project Maverick," identified 121 children. According to an OPP press release, 61 victims have been referred to community-based resources for assistance," and another 60 children have been safeguarded."
These numbers are shocking, but they provide hope by showing the lengths our teams are willing to go to protect children," said OPP Chief Supt. Kari Dart.
I would like to express gratitude for the hard work of the Provincial Strategy members, and our partners, in keeping children in this province safe and holding those who want to harm them accountable."
According to Toronto police, the local agency's sex crimes and internet child exploitation unit took part in 23 arrests, laid 96 criminal charges and seized 131 devices containing images and video of horrific" abuse and exploitation.
In total, 428 charges related to crimes such as accessing, producing and distributing material involving child abuse have been laid against 107 people across the province. More than a thousand devices were seized. There remain 175 ongoing investigations, which may lead to further charges.
The province-wide blitz was part of the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children From Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet. Since 2006, the initiative has led to 24,608 criminal charges against 6,540 people, and 3,470 victims have been identified around the world, according to the OPP.
Last month's effort involved the Attorney General, Solicitor General, 27 different police agencies, as well as various other government and community agencies within and beyond Ontario's borders, including the RCMP, the FBI and the Children's Aid Society.
Through its section of the investigation, Toronto police also identified 22 victims and were able to safeguard" an additional 10 children.
With help from international partners, Toronto police arrested a person based in a remote village in Northern Ontario who was allegedly active on the dark web and had allegedly planned to kidnap and abuse young children.
I would like to acknowledge our dedicated investigators, analysts and digital forensic technicians, who work tirelessly to hold those who are sexually exploiting children accountable," Toronto police Staff Supt. Paul MacIntyre said in a press release on Wednesday.
But they can't accomplish this extremely difficult work alone - online sexual offences have no borders and go well beyond our jurisdiction."
In a press conference at police headquarters on Wednesday morning, Det.-Sgt. Barb Adam noted that some charged were repeat offenders, a dismaying fact that she said wasn't shocking.
She encouraged concerned parents to closely monitor their child's time online, perhaps prohibiting them from using their devices when they're alone. Parents could lock up a child's phone or computer overnight, Adam added.
Toronto police have released a list of the 23 individuals charged locally in Project Maverick." The charges include making and sharing child pornography, sexual assault and interference, child luring and child abandonment.
Ben Mussett is a Toronto-based general assignment reporter for the Star. Reach him via email: bmussett@thestar.ca