Barrie man charged after child sexual abuse material discovered on devices, police say

A 57-year-old Barrie man is facing child exploitation charges after police say a six-month probe uncovered a collection of child sexual abuse material on his electronic devices.

The investigation began after officers received two reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding the alleged distribution of child sexual abuse material through X and Discord.

Police then executed a search warrant at a south-end Barrie home last month.

“Several electronic devices belonging to the accused were seized for full forensic analysis, which resulted in the categorization of images and videos of child sexual abuse and exploitation material,” said investigators.

The Barrie Police Service Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit arrested the man Thursday and charged him with possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material, accessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material and distribution of child sexual abuse and exploitation material.

The project was funding through a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General.