A large-scale operation targeting child luring across Ontario ended with 33 men being arrested, seven of whom are from Waterloo Region.
The Ontario Provincial Police said Project Series was a joint effort involving many police forces, working online over five days between February 9 and 13.
An OPP statement explained, “Police used investigative techniques to access online chatrooms and social media applications to identify, locate and arrest persons looking to sexually exploit children.”
The operation led to a total of 136 charges being laid.
Out of the 33 accused men, four live in Cambridge, two in Kitchener, and one is from Baden.
A message from Waterloo Regional Police Service to 570 News Radio said, “Seeing any number of offenders living in our community is troubling and is not a problem unique to Waterloo Region.”
The police revealed they dedicated significant resources during those five days – including five detectives, three digital forensic analysts, one sergeant – plus support from the Direction Action Response Team and patrol units.
There’s also one man charged who comes from Stratford.
The most frequent charges involve luring someone under age 16 and inviting sexual touching.
Additionally, charges include possessing or creating sexually explicit material and sharing it with a child.
One Cambridge man, described only as a 40-year-old, faces extra charges for assault with a weapon and assaulting police officers.
The accused men from Waterloo Region and Stratford range in age from 27 to 52 years old. However, the OPP says the youngest person charged in Project Series is just 16 years old.
The OPP also mentioned catching two repeat offenders during this initiative; regional police confirmed both are local residents here in the area.
The investigation identified six young victims who have since been given support and are safe-but none of these victims are from this region.
The OPP added that “some of the accused cannot be identified due to a publication ban.”
You’ll see WRPS featured briefly in an OPP video about Project Series as well.
The OPP reminds everyone that if you have any info about child sexual exploitation you should get in touch with your local police or report it at cybertip. ca.
