THUNDER BAY — Three people from Thunder Bay are facing child pornography charges as a result of investigations connected to a provincial task force.
Ontario Provincial Police on Wednesday announced the results of a series of investigations, called Project Maverick, that were carried out in October and resulted in more than 100 people being charged.
The Thunder Bay Police Service is one of 27 policing agencies across the province that were involved in Project Maverick and the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet.
City police said one of its investigations began in May, after the cyber crimes unit received information about a suspected local internet user downloading and sharing files linked to child exploitation.
A Georgina Bay home was searched on Oct. 6, which resulted in multiple devices being seized.
Joseph Alvin Scott, a 40-year-old from Thunder Bay, has been charged with one count each of distributing and accessing child pornography.
The second investigation began when cyber crime unit officers learned a local man may have been involved in the attempted luring of a minor in July.
Police said evidence led investigators to believe the suspect was attempting to lure a minor through electronic means, and also learned that the suspect was in possession of files consistent with child pornography.
A home on Finlayson Street was searched on Oct. 12, with a male suspect being arrested.
Connor Johnson, 21, has been charged with possession of child pornography, transmitting sexually explicit material to a person under the age of 16, and luring a person under the age of 18 by means of telecommunication.
The third case also involved an investigation into allegations that a local man may have been involved in the attempting luring of a minor in July.
Police said the suspect was in contact with a minor via direct electronic messages, and attempted to purchase sexual services. The investigation also found the suspect was in possession of files consistent with child pornography.
A Brock Street West home was searched on Oct. 14, which resulted in numerous electronic devices being seized and the accused being arrested.
Kelvin Patrick John McPherson Pelletier, 31, has been charged with possession of child pornography, transmitting sexually explicit material to a person under the age of 16, two counts of luring a person under the age of 18 by means of telecommunication, and communicating with anyone under the age of 18 for the purpose of obtaining sexual services.
Provincial police distributed a list of people charged, which also includes an unnamed 27-year-old from Thunder Bay who has been charged with two counts of sexual assault and one count of voyeurism.
None of the allegations have been tested in court.
"These numbers are shocking, but they provide hope by showing the lengths our teams are willing to go to protect children," OPP chief superintendent Kari Dart of its investigation and support bureau said in a written statement. "I would like to express gratitude for the hard work of the Provincial Strategy members, and our partners, in keeping children in this province safe and holding those who want to harm them accountable."
