Thirty-six men from across Ontario, including several from the GTA, have been charged in connection with a child sexual exploitation probe.
The accused, whose ages range from 18 to 73, are facing a total of 128 combined charges.
Police said the province-wide luring investigation ran from March 31 to April 11 and was made up of 21 police forces, all of which are part of the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet.
It entailed officers posing as children online and waiting for offenders to make contact. Police said they used “undercover techniques” to access online chatrooms and social media apps in order to identify, locate and arrest those looking to sexually exploit minors.
The probe resulted in the identification of nine victims, they said.
“They have been provided support and are safe,” the OPP said in a release.
Investigators said one of the accused arrived at the meeting location with snacks, while another had sexual paraphernalia, including lubricant and condoms.
One of those arrested was also listed on the National Sex Offender Registry.
A list of those arrested and what charges they’re facing can be found here.
Police say 51 ongoing investigations remain.
“These results highlight a sobering reality: predators can easily reach children in online spaces,” said Det. Stf. Sgt. Tim Brown, of the OPP.
” We urge parents and guardians to remain vigilant and to talk to your children about staying safe online. Just as you wouldn’t leave your child alone in a city, don’t let them navigate the online world alone."
