Chatham-Kent police assisted the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in an online child luring investigation after a local child was identified as a victim
In Jan. 2022, the FBI began investigating a man from Portland Oreg. who allegedly used Instagram to persuade multiple victims across North America to take and send him sexually explicit photos
Chatham-Kent police investigators assigned to the Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) stepped in to assist in March 2023 after a child victim was identified as a resident of Chatham-Kent
The 18-year-old Portland man was charged with sexual exploitation of children, attempted sexual exploitation of children, receiving child pornography and processing child pornography
Police say a safety plan and supports have been established for the victim
Chatham-Kent police are reminding the community of the importance of safe internet use to avoid becoming the victim of a crime
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
Residents 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 the Chatham-Kent police website
