Thunder Bay man charged with making child sexual abuse and exploitation material

A 27-year-old man from Thunder Bay has been charged with several offences related to child sexual abuse and exploitation material. (File)

A 27-year-old man from Thunder Bay has been charged with several offences related to child sexual abuse and exploitation material.

In a news release May 5, police in Thunder Bay said its cybercrime unit has been investigating the suspect since September 2025.

“The cybercrime unit received information about an individual in the city uploading child sexual abuse and exploitation material to their Google Photos account,” police said.

His home was searched in February and several electronic devices were seized. He turned himself in May 5 and was charged with possessing, accessing and making child sexual abuse and exploitation material.

He was also charged with sexual assault.

He was remanded into custody after a first court appearance with a future court date.

Anyone with information that could help with the investigation is asked to contact Det. Const. Joel Manherz at 1-807-684-1200, ext. 4115.

Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

www.p3tips.com

“The Thunder Bay Police Service recognizes that parents and caregivers are the frontline when it comes to protecting children on the Internet and electronic devices,” police said.

“We encourage you to remain vigilant in your efforts.”

Reporting of online exploitation can also be made at Canada’s national tipline for reporting the online sexual exploitation of children at cybertip.ca.

There are also resources available through the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health for those who have a sexual interest in children.

The new Talking for Change program is the first of its kind in Canada and provides national and all-ages help for those concerned about their risk to use child sexual exploitation material or offend sexually against a child.