POLICE CHARGE ARREST SIX MEN WITH INTERNET NUMEROUS INTERNET LURING AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENCES

(BARRIE. ON) – Members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Child Sexual Exploitation Unit (Project “P”) in conjunction with South Simcoe Police Service and Barrie Police Service conducted a two month on-line undercover child pornography investigation titled Project Masquerade.

During the two month period, police identified individuals distributing child sexual exploitation images and attempting to lure children on the internet. Police executed a total of seven criminal code search warrants. The warrants were conducted in Barrie, Bradford, Kitchener and St. Catharines Ontario. The Niagara Regional Police Service and Waterloo Regional Police Service assisted with the investigation. Police have seized a quantity of computer devices and cellular phones containing images of child sexual abuse.

The following six persons have been charged with the offences listed:

Bruce ASHTON, Age 41 years of Barrie Ontario.

Luring to Facilitate Sexual Assault
Luring to Facilitate Invitation to Sexual Touching

Court Date: July 7, 2014 at the Ontario Court of Justice, Barrie Ontario.

Brett HOFMAN, Age 24 years of Barrie Ontario.

Distribution of Child Pornography
Possession of Child Pornography

Court Date: June 30, 2014 at the Ontario Court of Justice, Barrie Ontario.

George DEAR, Age 54 of Barrie Ontario.

Possession of Child Pornography

Court Date: June 30, 2014 at the Ontario Court of Justice, Barrie Ontario.

William WICKENS, Age 41 years of St. Catharines Ontario.

Agreement to Meet a Child for a Sexual Purpose (Two Counts)
Invitation to Sexual Touching

Arrest Warrant Held

Glen UEBERSCHLAG, Age 65 of Kitchener Ontario.

Luring to Facilitate Sexual Assault
Luring to Facilitate Invitation to Sexual Touching
Make Available Sexually Explicit Material to a Child

Court Date: July 10, 2014 at the Ontario Court of Justice, Bradford Ontario

Gary ALLEN, Age 52 years of Bradford Ontario.

Luring to Facilitate Sexual Assault
Luring to Facilitate Invitation to Sexual Touching
Luring to Facilitate Making Child Pornography
Making Sexually Explicit Material Available to a Child

Court Date: July 3, 2014 at the Ontario Court of Justice, Bradford Ontario

The investigation is continuing.