Police have arrested a 24-year-old Richmond Hill man after two teenage girls were contacted through Facebook and told to provide explicit images and videos of themselves.
Toronto police Det. Const. Michele Bond said that over the past year, the suspect allegedly developed online relationships with two girls aged 13-14 via Facebook, asking them to provide images and videos of themselves, sometimes offering money as a reward.
If the girls refused, Bond said the suspect would threaten to reveal explicit information about them to their friends and family. In at least one instance, Bond said the suspect was attempting to schedule a meeting with one of his victims.
Bond said Brandon Walker, known as Brandon G. Davidson on Facebook when he communicated with victims, turned himself into police after the two girls alerted authorities.
Walker faces 11 offences, including two counts of luring a child under the age of 16, two counts of extortion and two counts of making child pornography.
Bond said investigators “believe there are additional victims out there,” and Facebook is assisting police in the investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-8500.
Det. Const. Amy Davey said teens on social media “have to remain skeptical about the people they meet online.”
She told parents that it is common for children who have been reached by predators online to stay silent and comply.
“Your child will often give in to threats received online because they’re trying to manage the threat on their own. Your child will be embarrassed that they got themselves into this situation and it will be difficult for them to come forward to any adult.”
Bond said predators who lure children on social media often appeal to interests they share in common with the child.
Davey said teens who have been threatened by an online predator should cease all contact immediately, deactivate their social media accounts and tell an adult what has happened.
Parents should monitor their children’s internet activity closely, Davey said.
