Three men and one woman from Cambridge are among 107 people across the province facing several charges in relation to a province-wide, multi-jurisdictional investigation involving child sexual abuse and exploitation.
A release from Ontario Provincial Police and partners in the investigation says hundreds of charges have been laid across Ontario and represents just a snapshot of the work done by investigators and analysts that make up what's called the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet.
The result of several investigations completed in October, named Project MAVERICK, were announced in a video release Wednesday showcasing members of the Provincial Strategy.
During that month alone, the 27 police agencies that partnered on MAVERICK, including Waterloo Regional Police Service, conducted 255 investigations, completed 168 search warrants and seized 1,032 devices.
In total, 428 charges were laid against 107 people.
Among them is a 39-year-old Cambridge man charged with two counts of possession of child pornography, and a 39-year-old woman charged with two counts of possessing and making child pornography, making it available, and two counts of arranging a sexual offence against a child.
Also charged with two counts of possession of child porn is a 25-year-old Cambridge man, and a 38-year-old Cambridge man who faces charges for possessing, making and distributing child pornography, as well as three counts of arranging a sexual offence against a child.
During the investigations, 61 victims were identified and referred to appropriate community-based resources for assistance, while an additional 60 children were safeguarded. There are 175 ongoing investigations where additional charges may be laid.
"These numbers are shocking, but they provide hope by showing the lengths our teams are willing to go to protect children," said OPP Chief Superintendent Kari Dart in the release. "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."
The Provincial Strategy includes two ministries, the Attorney General and Solicitor General, and 27 participating police agencies, including Barrie, Belleville, Brantford, Chatham-Kent, Cornwall, Durham, Greater Sudbury, Guelph, Halton, Hamilton, Kingston, London, Niagara, North Bay, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Ottawa, Peel, Peterborough, Sarnia, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, Timmins, Toronto, Waterloo, Windsor, Woodstock and York.
"The work done by the Provincial Strategy members take us to some of the darkest corners of society and exposes the horrific crimes committed every day against children," said OPP Detective Sergeant Jamie King. "This is not a crime that can be combatted by our members alone and we ask that everyone out there recognize the importance they play in protecting children. Report these crimes, remain vigilant and educate yourself."
Additional partners that participated in these investigations included OPP Digital Forensics, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canada Border Services Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security. The BOOST Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, the Children's Aid Society and the Canadian Centre for Child Protection provided victims' support and education.
Since the Provincial Strategy began in 2006, it has completed 65,564 investigations and laid 24,608 charges against 6,540 people. A total of 3,470 victims have been identified worldwide.
The investigations continue and anyone with information on these or any child exploitation investigations are asked to contact their local police. Report any instances of online child abuse to police or cybertip.ca. If a child is being harmed, call 9-1-1.
