13 arrested in child porn investigation

A child pornography investigation dubbed Operation Schools Out saw 13 individuals arrested, according to Greater Sudbury Police Services' cyber crime unit.

Two Sudbury men, ages 37 and 30, have each been charged with two counts of possession of child pornography, one count of accessing child pornography and making available child pornography.

As part of Operation Schools Out, officers investigated 56 cases of child pornography and luring between Jan. 1 and June 15. A total of 44 charges have been laid against the 13 people arrested. Police executed 26 different search warrants during the operation.

The investigation focuses on identifying Internet users who possessed and made available child pornography and luring children via electronic devices and Internet websites. A large number of computers, electronic devices and data storage devices were seized and a large volume of child pornography images and videos were located in the possession of the offenders.

Of the 13 individuals arrested, two were previously charged with child pornography offences.

Police executed a search warrant on June 14 at the home of the 37-year-old man. He attended bail court on June 15.

Police also executed a search warrant on June 22 at the home of the 30-year-old man. He attended bail court on June 25.

The cyber crime unit was also involved in three child pornography investigations in northern communities including Sault Ste. Marie, Parry Sound and Elliot Lake. Those cases were forwarded to other police agencies where suspects were investigated, three were arrested and 13 charges were laid.

Last year, police investigated 109 cases of child pornography and luring and made 16 arrests. Officer laid a total of 57 charges and executed 56 search warrants.

Greater Sudbury Police Service received funding to assist in this initiative from the Proceeds of Crime, Prevention and Enforcement of Internet Crimes Grant.

This grant added additional officers for this operation to prepare search warrants and conduct investigations. Also, enhancement was made on the service’s computer forensic, cellular forensic and video forensic training and technical abilities. The cyber crime unit also obtained a mobile forensic van. This unit enables officers to conduct computer, cellular and video forensics in the field.

For the names of the Sudbury men arrested through Operation Schools Out, visit gsps.ca.

Posted by Arron Pickard