Cybercrime image: depositphotos. com
Sudbury – NEWS – The Waterloo Regional Police Service’s Cybercrime – Internet Child Exploitation Unit, working alongside Greater Sudbury Police and with help from Toronto Police, have charged a 50-year-old man from Cambridge. The investigation is related to alleged luring and possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material (CSAEM).
Police say Michel Pleau, aged 50, from Cambridge, was taken into custody on February 13, 2026. He faces charges including:
Possession of Child Sexual Assault and Exploitation Material
Creation of Child Sexual Assault and Exploitation Material
Distribution of Child Sexual Assault and Exploitation Material
Making Sexually Explicit Material Accessible to a Child
Invitation to Sexual Touching
Luring a Child Under 16 Years Old
The Waterloo Catholic District School Board-where authorities say the accused works as a vice-principal-has been informed. Officials stress that the alleged crimes do not involve students from this school board.
As always with criminal cases, these charges haven’t been proven in court yet, and the accused is considered innocent until proven guilty.
What “CSAEM” Means
In Canadian law, “child sexual abuse and exploitation material” covers any visual, written or audio content that shows or describes sexual acts involving someone under 18 or encourages sexual activity with minors.
Details on Charges and Possible Sentences if Found Guilty
According to the Criminal Code, penalties depend on how the Crown handles the case and what facts are shown in court. Here’s a rundown of max penalties (and mandatory minimums where they apply):
Possession of CSAEM (s. 163.1(4)):
Up to 10 years if tried indictably or up to nearly 2 years for summary conviction. Minimum sentences are generally one year for indictable offences or six months summary.
Creating/producing CSAEM (s. 163.1(2)):
Up to 14 years in prison; minimum sentence is one year.
Distributing or making CSAEM available ( s. 163.1(3 )):
Maximum penalty is up to 14 years; minimum is one year.
Making sexy explicit material available to a child (s.171.1):
Maximum sentence is up to 14 years if indictable or nearly two years summary; minimums range from six months to ninety days.
Invitation to sexual touching ( s.152 ):
Penalties can go up to fourteen years (indictable) or nearly two years summary; minimum sentences apply too.
Luring a child under sixteen ( s.172.1):
data- start= “3033 “data- end= “3036 “/>Up to fourteen years incarceration for indictable offence or almost two years for summary conviction. Minimum jail times apply but note: The Supreme Court has found mandatory minimum sentences for luring unconstitutional so judges may have flexibility.<h3 Other consequences courts may impose If convicted of certain sex crimes involving minors, the court might also order registration under the Sex Offender Information Registration Act(SOIRA), depending on circumstances described by the Criminal Code.<h3 Police asking public for help Anyone who has info should reach out directly to investigators at: Police mention participating agencies are part of Ontario’s Provincial Strategy protecting kids online, and this work is backed by funding from Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General.
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