A recent investigation by Ontario Provincial Police into alleged online child exploitation resulted in six people from the Barrie area being charged.
Forty people, from Ottawa to Thunder Bay and points in between throughout southern Ontario, were charged in connection to what the OPP has referred to as Project Steel.
In some cases, the OPP released names, while others have been withheld.
Locally, a 39-year-old Barrie man has been charged with three counts of agreement or arrangement — sexual offence against child. He was held in custody and appeared in court on Tuesday in Barrie.
A 22-year-old Barrie man has been charged with possession of child pornography. He was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on April 7.
A 15-year-old Barrie male has been charged with possession of child pornography. He was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on April 8.
A 15-year-old Minesing male has been charged with possession of child pornography. He was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on April 8.
A 40-year-old Angus man has been charged with two counts of possession of child pornography. He was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on March 27 in Bradford.
Wayne Pantry, 70, of Bradford, has been charged with two counts of possession of child pornography, two counts of accessing child pornography and two counts of make available child pornography. He was held in custody and appeared in court on Wednesday in Newmarket.
None of the allegations have been tested in court.
Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Strategy results from Project Steel:
- 31 alleged victims identified
- 20 children safeguarded
- 40 individuals arrested
- 151 charges laid
- 686 electronic devices seized
Police say investigators worked "proactively and reactively" to identify individuals who were allegedly making, possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material.
Victims were identified and safeguarded, and victim support was provided to those who were impacted, according to police.
"Notably, during the investigation, a repeat violent offender, who had previously served a significant prison sentence for sexual offences, was arrested again," stated an OPP release. "Analysis of seized devices uncovered evidence of a sexual assault on a child in a public space and the online victimization of dozens of unidentified children."
A list of arrested persons, including their municipality and respective charges, can be found here.
The Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Strategy's participating police agencies include Barrie Police Service and York Regional Police.
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