5 men face child porn charges after Hamilton police investigation

After an almost month-long investigation, police say five Hamilton men face child porn charges.

The Hamilton Police Service's Internet Child Exploitation unit launchedProject Frost Byte 3.0 on April 6 with the hope of tracking down adults withchild sexual abuse images and videos. A grant from the Ministry of the SolicitorGeneral fundedthe operation.

"With a large number of people being isolated at home currently, they are spending more time online. The individuals who would be accessing and sharing child sexual abuse material now have more of an opportunity than ever," reads a release from police.

"During these unprecedented times, it is essential that the police continue to aggressively pursue these individuals online who are using technology to exploit our children and share child sexual abuse and exploitation material."

Police executed search warrants along with 22 other judicial orders at various locations within the city.

The end result yielded62 computer and electronic devices with more than 8,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse and exploitation material.

Five men aged 41, 28, 25, 18 and 34 face charges for various child exploitationcrimes including the possession and distribution of child pornography.

Police saythe accuseddidn't know each other and each arrest was a result of a separate investigation.

Officers remind parentsto take a proactive approach to protect their children from online sexual exploitation by speaking with themaboutinternet safety and by monitoring their online activity.