Two London men among those charged in provincial child sexual exploitation investigation

OPP have charged 36 men, including two Londoners, after a provincial child sexual exploitation investigation.

Ontario Provincial Police say they’ve charged dozens with 128 criminal offences after a child sexual exploitation investigation involving police services across the province.

The investigation, which took place between March 31 and April 11, included 26 police services, including the London Police Service, and saw investigators pose as children online.

They arrested 36 men ranging in age from 18 to 73, one of whom was listed on the national sex offender registry. According to police, two men are from London, one from Hensall, one from Ayton, and another is from Chatham.

“Although this was a luring investigation in which officers posed as children online and waited for offenders to make contact, nine real victims were identified,” provincial police stated. “One of the accused arrived at the meeting location with snacks and one arrived with sexual paraphernalia (lubricant and condoms). One of the arrested was listed on the National Sex Offender Registry.”

Police say there are 51 investigations stemming from the child luring probe that remain active.

Police are urging anyone with information to come forward and are encouraging parents to talk to their children about how to stay safe during online interactions.

—With files from The Canadian Press