Fight against online child sexual exploitation results in two local arrests here in Kingston

December 8, 2023     

Fight against online child sexual exploitation results in two local arrests here in Kingston

Two individuals linked to child sexual exploitation material (CSAM) have been arrested in Kingston between November 27 and 30.

These arrests involved the Ontario Provincial Police and Kingston Police through its Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet (Provincial ICE Strategy) as well as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Concurrent operations tied to CSAM were also conducted in New Brunswick and other locations in Ontario including Ottawa, Kitchener, Georgina, Greater Sudbury, Barrie, Windsor, Belleville, Clarence-Rockland, Essex, Burlington, Guelph, London, and Toronto. In Ontario, 18 individuals linked to CSAM were arrested. These individuals ranged in age from 24 to 84.

A total of 29 arrests linked to CSAM were also made in Quebec between November 27 to 30.

Backed by the Sûreté du Québec's (SDQ) integrated child pornography enforcement team, this major operation was led by officers from the online child sexual exploitation investigation team and the major crime investigations service of the SDQ with assistance from the police services of Montreal, Longueil, Laval, Québec and Gatineau.

In Quebec, the arrests were made in Montreal, Trois-Rivières, Repentigny, St-Jérôme, Terrebonne, Laval, St-Hyacinthe, Drummondville, Québec, Acton Vale, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Sherbrooke, Val-d'Or, Rouyn Noranda, Gatineau, Longueil, St-George de Beauce, Beauceville and Cap-Santé.

In total 29 male individuals aged between 18 and 84 have been arrested. The St-Jérôme, Terrebonne, Sherbrooke, Repentigny, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Trois Rivières police services were also involved during the operation in which 300 officers and civilians were mobilized.

The individuals who were arrested in Kingston were transported to headquarters and held for a bail hearing.

Police have carried out searches at the dwelling places of the accused parties and seized computer equipment for further investigation.

Matthew RYCE, a 38-year-old individual from Kingston, was charged with two counts of possession of child pornography, making available child pornography and distribution of child pornography.

A 43-year-old male from Kingston was charged with possession of child pornography, making available child pornography and distribution of child pornography.

The public is asked to report all cases of online child sexual exploitation Kingston Police as well as to: Cybertip.ca or the crime information hotline by calling 1-800-659-4264.

“This project has been made possible by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General.”