In January 2022, the FBI began investigating a Portland, Oregon man surrounding the online luring of children.
Last month, Chatham-Kent Police Service investigators assigned to the Internet Child Exploitation Unit assisted the FBI with the investigation after a child victim was identified as a resident of Chatham-Kent.
Throughout the course of the investigation, officers determined that the man was using Instagram to persuade multiple child victims across North America to produce and send him sexually explicit photos of themselves.
An 18-year old Portland man was charged with sexual exploitation of children, attempted sexual exploitation of children, receiving child pornography and possessing child pornography.
A safety plan and supports have been established for the victim.
The Chatham-Kent Police Service would like to remind the community of the importance of safe Internet practices to avoid becoming the victim of such crimes.
Some tips include:
- Do not engage in conversations with strangers.
- Never share intimate images online.
- Do not do anything on camera that you’re not comfortable with your friends or family seeing.
The Chatham-Kent Police Service is a member of the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet and conducts investigations into Internet child exploitation offences in partnership with numerous Ontario police services and law enforcement agencies around the world. The investigations conducted by the Chatham-Kent Police Service ICE unit are made possible by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
Members of the public can report suspicious Internet activities relating to child exploitation to the Chatham-Kent Police Service or online at www.cybertip.ca. Internet safety tips for parents, children, and Internet users are also available on our website (www.ckpolice.com) as well as the Cybertip website.
