Call from Middle East leads to child porn charge against Regina man

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A 4 a.m. call to Saskatoon police from the other side of the world led to a 51-year-old man in Regina being charged with making child pornography.

The unusual case started just before sunrise on Monday morning, when police received a call from a man in the Middle East who “had been using a randomized online chat room when he came across a live stream of an adult male committing an indecent act in a room where a prepubescent girl was also present.”

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According to a Saskatoon police Facebook post detailing the response, the complainant — who police said was located almost 11,000 kilometres away — established email contact with officers, quickly providing details and screenshots to help the investigation.

Two addresses in Saskatoon were initially identified as potential locations connected to the alleged crime. When officers spoke to residents, they determined there was no involvement.

As things continued, the complainant was able to rematch — essentially connect again — to the chat room with the same suspect and obtain more evidence.

“Through fast and exemplary police work, officers determined the suspect was believed to be at a residence in Regina,” police said.

Saskatoon police immediately contacted police in Regina. At the home, officers found the suspect, along with a five-year-old girl.

Police seized the man’s electronic devices for further examination by Saskatchewan’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit.

Victim services are also involved in supporting the young girl, police said.

“Across international borders and provincial jurisdictions, this is a definitive example of how one report can be the difference in rescuing a victim of crime,” Saskatoon police said in the Facebook post.

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