Hundreds of charges have been laid across Ontario in connection with a provincial strategy to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation on the internet.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said during October, 27 police services conducted 255 investigations, completed 168 search warrants and seized 1,032 devices during the strategy, known as Project MAVERICK.
“In total, 428 charges were laid against 107 people,” police said in a news release Wednesday.
A full list of the individuals charged can be found here.
Police said those arrested ranged in age from 18 to 86 years old.
Officers said during the investigations, 61 victims were identified and were “referred to appropriate community-based resources for assistance.”
Another 60 children were safeguarded, police said.
Officers said there are 175 ongoing investigations where additional charges may be laid.
The project included the Ministry of the Attorney General and Solicitor General, and 27 police agencies including Barrie, Durham, Guelph, Hamilton, Kingston, London, Niagara, Ottawa, Peterborough, York and Toronto.
“Since the provincial strategy began in 2006, it has completed 65,564 investigations and laid 24,608 charges against 6,540 people,” police said. “A total of 3,470 victims have been identified worldwide.”
FULL STORY: https://globalnews.ca/news/9314956/ontario-project-maverick-results/
