63 arrested in Ontario child exploitation bust
· Toronto Sun
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Over 60 people across Ontario have been arrested and total of 213 charges have been laid in a province-wide online child exploitation investigation.
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In a news release Wednesday, the OPP said a joint initiative with 25 other Ontario police services, led to the arrest of 63 individuals, including 12 from the GTA, who allegedly made, possessed and distributed child sexual abuse material.
Police said the probe — named Project Time — involved 264 criminal investigations and 154 ongoing investigations, which identified 51 victims, and led to the seizure of 814 electronic devices.
In an addendum, police listed those arrested ranging in age from 15 to 79, with two of them in a position of trust and authority in their communities, and eight being repeat offenders.
None of the identities of the GTA suspects was disclosed by police, though all of them, except one woman, were listed as “adult male,” and all are between the ages of 26 and 67.
Some accused can’t be ID’d due to court-issued publication ban
The OPP said some of the accused cannot be identified due to a court-issued publication ban.
Police said the victims were “safeguarded,” with appropriate support being provided to those affected
“Project Time is a testament to the dedication and commitment of law enforcement professionals across Ontario and Canada to protect children from exploitation,” OPP Det. Staff Sgt. Tara Clark, Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Strategy Lead, said in the press release.
“The results of this operation demonstrate the power of collaboration, the strength of the Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Strategy and the relentless pursuit of those who prey on the most vulnerable.”
The OPP urged anyone with any information related to child sexual exploitation to contact their local police or report it to cybertip.ca .