Undercover cops nab 36 men, aged 18 to 73, in Ontario child luring probe

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Police forces across the province netted 36 people and filed 128 charges during a two-week online child luring investigation.

Ontario Provincial Police say 21 police services took part in probe, which ran March 31-April 11, and used undercover techniques to access online chatrooms and social media in order to identify, locate and arrest persons looking to sexually exploit children.

In a release on Thursday, OPP noted one of the accused arrived at a meeting location with snacks while another showed up with sexual paraphernalia. Another accused was listed on the National Sex Offender Registry.

All of the accused are men, ranging in age from 18 to 73, and although officers posed as children online and waited for offenders to make contact, nine real victims were identified. Police said they have been provided support and are safe.

Some of the accused cannot be identified due to a publication ban and 51 ongoing investigations remain.

“These results highlight a sobering reality: Predators can easily reach children in online spaces,” OPP Det. Staff Sgt. Tim Brown said in the release.

“We urge parents and guardians to remain vigilant and to talk to your children about staying safe online. Just as you wouldn’t leave your child alone in a city, don’t let them navigate the online world alone.”

Police partners with the Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Strategy said there has been a significant rise in reports of online child sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse material in recent years.

“We commend the outstanding efforts of our Provincial Strategy members from across the province whose dedication led to the success of this investigation and the protection of vulnerable children,” OPP Deputy Commissioner Marty Kearns said.

“Their tireless work is a testament to our unwavering commitment to safeguarding youth from online predators.”

PERSONS CHARGED – PROJECT SILKSTONE

jstevenson@postmedia.com