In November of 2017, police say that members of the Niagara Regional Police Service Internet Child Exploitation (I.C.E.) Unit began an investigation into the on-line sexual exploitation of children.
The investigation led investigators to a Welland residence and yesterday, on February 1st, members assigned to the I.C.E. Unit; the Technological Crimes Unit and the Cybercrime Unit executed a search warrant at the home. A number of computer systems and storage media were seized and forensically examined.
As a result of the investigation, 41 year old Jason Kimberley of Welland was arrested and charged with two counts of Possession of Child Pornography; one count of Accessing Child Pornography; one count of Making Child Pornography; one count of Distributing Child Pornography; one count of Attempting to Commit an Indictable Offence; and one count of Making Available Child Pornography.
Kimberley has been held in custody pending a bail hearing which will take place today, February 2nd at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines.
The Niagara Regional Police Service is a member of the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet and conducts investigations into Internet Child Exploitation Offences in partnership with numerous Ontario Police Services. This investigative initiative has been made possible with financial assistance from the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services and the Ministry of the Attorney General.
Members of the public can report suspicious Internet activities relating to child exploitation to the Niagara Regional Police Service, or online at www.cybertip.ca. Internet safety tips for parents, children and Internet users are also available on the Cybertip website.
