Peel Police ID More Than 70 Suspects In International Child Porn Probe

Peel Regional Police have identified more than 70 suspects in an international child pornography investigation.

During a four-month undercover operation, dubbed “Project Unity”, authorities identified 73 suspects in 20 countries. Peel investigators plan to share the information they’ve collected with their international colleagues and that work has already led to some arrests.

The arrest of a 29-year-old Brampton man in November 2009 on sexual assault and child porn charges sparked the massive effort. That suspect is accused of making child pornography. The alleged victim was four-years-old at the time. Details of that case are under a publication ban.

During the intensive investigation, authorities said two particular cases were a cause of immediate concern for the safety of two youngsters and led to two arrests – one in Maine and another in Kent in the United Kingdom.

“While the Internet has evolved and shown its potential to assist society is endless . . . we need to remember that there are people out there whose use of the Internet will destroy the lives of our children and their families,” said Peel Region Staff Supt. John Nielsen.

“The victimization of a child has a lifetime effect on their lives, their loved ones and the community at large.”

Among the 20 countries included in the investigation, 18 suspects were identified in Germany, 10 in the United States, seven in the U.K., including the arrest noted above, five in the Netherlands and one in Canada.

See map of nations involved.

With files from the Canadian Press


Peel Police offered some safety tips for parents:

  • communicate with your children about their internet activities
  • keep the computer in an open area of your home, never in the child’s bedroom
  • monitor any web cam usage
  • monitor any use on web sites that are specifically designed for young children
  • protect your wireless router signal with a password

Here are some useful safety websites:

bewebaware.ca
cybertip.ca

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