Simcoe County residents, including 2 minors, arrested in connection with national child exploitation operation

Six Simcoe County residents are facing charges as part of a massive child exploitation investigation involving police forces from across Ontario.

Six individuals, including two minors, from Simcoe County are named among 40 people in Ontario arrested in connection with a national child exploitation operation.

Ontario Provincial Police, along with more than two dozen police services, including the Barrie Police Service, announced significant results in the battle to end online child exploitation.

Police say the operation, dubbed Project Steel, identified 31 victims, safeguarded 20 children, and let to the arrest of 40 individuals who face a combined 151 charges across the province.

"Notably, during the investigation, a repeat violent offender, who had previously served a significant prison sentence for sexual offences, was arrested again," OPP stated in a release.

Police say forensic analysis of nearly 700 electronic devices seized uncovered evidence of sexual assault on a child in a public space and online victimization of dozens of unidentified children.

“Law enforcement cannot combat this alone,” OPP noted, calling on parents, educators and child advocacy organizations to help keep kids safe from predators.

Among those arrested are a 39-year-old Barrie man charged with three counts of sexual offence against a child, a 40-year-old Angus man and a 22-year-old Barrie man each charged with possessing child pornography, and a 70-year-old Bradford man charged with six child pornography-related offences. Each of the accused has future court dates set to answer to the charges. The names of the accused were not disclosed.

Additionally, two 15-year-old boys each face possession of child pornography charges. The teens were released from custody with court dates scheduled for next month. Their identities are protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

"We will not stop," stated Det. Staff Sgt. Tim Brown, Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Strategy Lead. “This operation demonstrates what can be achieved when law enforcement officers and digital specialists from across different areas of expertise and geographic locations join together in a relentless pursuit of those who prey on the most vulnerable.”

In all, 106 people have been arrested, more than 300 charges laid, and 1,132 devices seized following various search warrants executed between Feb. 17 and Feb. 28 across Canada as part of Project Steel.

Police say there are still 395 active investigations that could lead to more charges.