OPP charge 80 linked to child porn, including 11 in northern Ontario

Ontario Provincial Police have laid charges against 80 people, including 11 in northern Ontario, after a province-wide investigation into internet child exploitation.

The charges involvemore than 274offences, including sexual assault, and making, distributing and accessing child pornography, police said Thursday.

OPP charge 80 linked to internet child pornography

8 years ago

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Charges involve more than 274 offences, including sexual assault, making, distributing and accessing child pornography

From northern Ontario, fiveof the accused men are from Sault Ste. Marie, three from Greater Sudbury, as well as others from Timmins, North Bay and Thunder Bay.

A total of 174 search warrants were carried out in recent days.

Additional arrests are pending.

Child porn a 'revictimization' of children: OPP

Police said 20victims were identified during the investigation.

Investigatorsfound minors, including girls aged 14, 15 and16, working in the sex trade against their will and police rescuedthem, removing them from the situations that they were inand taking themto safety.

OPP Chief Supt.Don Bell told reporters at Toronto's Pearson airport on Thursdaythat the charges are a result of 27police forces working together, includingtheRCMP, Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Homeland Security.

"Child pornography is sexual abuse of our children and every image of child pornography is a revictimization of that child," Bell said.

"The creation and distribution of images of child sexual abuse, the luring of young people by predators and the proliferation of internet sites, where pictures of every imaginable sex act can be accessed by anyone, continues to be a major concern to police agencies worldwide."