Over 400 charges laid in Ontario-wide child exploitation investigation

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are providing a snapshot of their investigations cracking down on child exploitation across the province.

OPP says in October alone officers from 27 police services in Ontario laid 428 charges against 107 people as part of Project Maverick.

Those charges include luring a person under 16 and child pornography.

“The work done by the Provincial Strategy members takes us to some of the darkest corners of society and exposes the horrific crimes committed every day against children,” said OPP Det. Sgt. and Provincial Strategy Lead Jamie King.

“This is not a crime that can be combated by our members alone and we ask that everyone out there recognize the importance they play in protecting children. Report these crimes, remain vigilant and educate yourself.”

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Police say during those investigations, 61 victims were referred to community-based resources and another 60 children were safeguarded.

There are 175 ongoing investigations where additional charges may be laid, OPP said.

Officers also conducted 255 investigations, executed 168 search warrants and seized 1,032 devices throughout the month.

The project included the Attorney General and Solicitor General ministries, as well as 27 participating police services: Barrie, Belleville, Brantford, Chatham-Kent, Cornwall, Durham, Greater Sudbury, Guelph, Halton, Hamilton, Kingston, London, Niagara, North Bay, OPP, Ottawa, Peel, Peterborough, Sarnia, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, Timmins, Toronto, Waterloo, Windsor, Woodstock and York.

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“Since the Provincial Strategy began in 2006, it has completed 65,564 investigations and laid 24,608 charges against 6,540 people. A total of 3,470 victims have been identified worldwide,” OPP said in a news release.

The investigations continue and anyone with information on these or any child exploitation investigations are asked to contact their local police.