Moncton man's sentencing delayed due to new sex charges

A Monctonman's sentencing on sexual assault and child pornography-related charges has been delayed until next Februaryin light of more charges being added.

The man, whose can not be named because of a publication ban, pleaded guilty earlier to sexual assault and producing child pornography.

A sentencing hearing was scheduled to take place Thursday, but it was adjourned until Feb. 1, 2016 so additional charges can be added.

RCMPsaid the man posted as a teenage girl online and would lure boys as young as 10 years old into removing their clothing and initiating a sexual act, which was then recorded by the man and distributed online.

Karen Lee, a Crown prosecutor,said the RCMP have located approximately 50 victims and have interviewed 20 of them.

Leesaid there is evidence of approximately another 2,000 victims who police have not yet been able to identify.

Investigators have confirmed the identities of victims in Scotland, England, the United Kingdom, the United States, and southern Ontario.

RCMP say the sexual exploitation dates back at least to January 2012 and continued until the fall of 2014.

Defence lawyerSylvain Pelletiersaid in court the accused intends to plead guilty to the additional charges.

The list of charges is expected to be completed in January with the next court appearance set for Feb. 1.