Palmerston resident charged child sexual exploitation offenses

On May 12th members of the OPP Child Sexual Exploitation Unit, OPP Digital Forensics and Wellington OPP Detachment executed a search warrant at a residence in Palmerston following information received by US law enforcement counterparts.

As a result of this investigation a 24 year old male was arrested and charged with 12 criminal charges related to child exploitation specifically:

• 3 counts of luring a child
• 2 counts distribution of child pornography
• possession of child pornography
• making child pornography
• criminal harassment
• extortion
• sending sexually explicit material to a child
• 2 counts of indecent exposure to a child under 16

Police seized digital devices for further examination.

The accused was held for a bail hearing in an Ontario Court of Justice in Guelph.

 Parents are reminded to take a proactive approach to help protect their children from online sexual exploitation by speaking with their children regarding Internet safety.

Parents and anyone interested in protecting children can find resources to assist them at www.cybertip.ca.