Family member charged after sending Sarnia youth explicit image

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A man has been charged by Sarnia police in connection with a child sexual assault investigation.

Police were contacted on Jan. 22 and heard a youth had received an explicit image via text from a family member.

Sarnia police’s Criminal Investigations Division began their investigation and uncovered allegations of historical sexual abuse that is alleged to have occurred several years ago while the victim was a young child.

Investigators also learned the accused had multiple court orders, including a prohibition order and a family court order, which restricted contact with children and regulated the use of digital communication.

These orders were breached when the accused initiated unauthorized contact with the youth and sent the explicit image.

On Jan. 23, police located the accused at their residence in Georgetown, Ont.

The 56 year old was charged with sexual assault, sexual interference, sexual exploitation, making obscene material, disobeying a court order, and three counts of breach of probation.

The accused was brought to Sarnia, where he remains in custody awaiting a bail hearing.

The name of the accused will not be released in order to protect the identity of the victim.