On January 9, 2019, members of the London Police Service Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit executed a search warrant at an address on Glenburn Court in Hamilton, Ontario, in relation to a child luring investigation. The investigation commenced after a 10-year-old London girl notified her parents about a conversation that she had on the social media platform – Instagram, and police were contacted.
As a result of the investigation, police learned that a male was operating an Instagram account with the handle of @amanda_brouwerr with more than 1,500 followers. The account has attached profile information advising that it is a modeling page with an image of a young girl displayed.
A 24-year-old man made contact through direct message to the 10-year-old London girl, under the guise that he was a 13-year-old girl named Amanda. The man asked the young girl if she wished to model for an Instagram page and requested photographs of her feet.
A mobile device was seized by police as a result of the search warrant. The investigation revealed numerous images on the device containing suspected child pornography.
David Molnar, 24, of Hamilton, was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code of Canada offences:
- Invitation to sexual touching under 16 years of age;
- Luring a person under 16 years of age by telecommunication x 2; and
- Unlawfully possess child pornography.
The accused is expected to appear in London court on February 20, 2019, in relation to the charges.
London police believe that there are additional victims who may have been in contact with this individual or shared images through the @amanda_brouwerr Instagram account, and are asking victims to contact police.
London Police Service is a member of the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet. The strategy has been made possible by a grant from the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.
Anyone with information in relation to this incident, or this Instagram account is asked to call the London Police Service at (519) 661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Information can also be sent in on-line anonymously to www.londoncrimestoppers.com
