Man charged for allegedly attempting online luring of minors

THUNDER BAY — City police have charged a 31-year-old man with several offences related to the alleged online luring of youths under the age of 16.

Thunder Bay police said the accused, identified as William Heidrick, was arrested Wednesday as a result of an investigation that began over a year ago.

Police said the investigation started when the cyber crime unit became aware of a local internet user possibly attempting to lure and groom youths online through catfishing, which is when a person uses a fake online persona.

Investigators were able to identify a suspect, which led to the search of a home in the 600 block of Vale Crescent on June 9, 2022, where electronic devices were seized.

Police said investigators obtained evidence that the accused was luring youths under the age of 16, had been using a stolen identity, and was distributing intimate images of that person without consent.

Heidrick is charged with four counts of distributing an intimate image without consent, along with one count each of luring a person under the age of 16 through telecommunication, making sexually explicit material available to a person under the age of 16, making child pornography, personate with intent, and failing to comply with a probation order.

He appeared in bail court on Thursday and remains in custody with a future appearance date.

The charges have yet to be tested in court.