A large investigation into child exploitation and sexual abuse across the province has resulted in over 60 arrests, with a total of 213 charges filed.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), along with 25 police departments, participated in an effort called “Project Time: Striking Back Against Child Exploitation.”
Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) was among the agencies involved, making four arrests in Kitchener, Cambridge, and Waterloo. Guelph Police also arrested one individual from Guelph.
Two men from Kitchener, aged 25 and 50 years old, were taken into custody and charged. Additionally, a 44-year-old man from Waterloo and a 36-year-old man from Cambridge were also arrested.
The person charged in Waterloo faces the most serious allegations, including 11 counts related to creating child exploitation materials and two counts of luring someone under the age of 16.
Due to a publication ban issued by the court, only one of the local accused can be identified.
Stephen Pike from Cambridge is facing charges for possessing and accessing material related to child sexual abuse and exploitation. The four individuals charged in the Waterloo Region collectively face a total of 22 charges, with WRPS seizing 40 electronic devices.
A 22-year-old man from Guelph was also charged. He too cannot be named due to the publication ban.
You can find the full list of those charged here.
According to OPP, this investigation has helped identify and protect more than 50 children.
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