Peterborough man faces dozens of charges in child porn, hockey video probe

PETERBOROUGH, Ont. -- A man who police say was very active in the Peterborough hockey community is facing 62 charges in connection with a child pornography and sexual assault investigation by two Ontario police forces.

Police say the charges stem from alleged incidents involving multiple victims, including dozens of child porn and voyeurism charges linked to videos allegedly made in locker rooms, primarily in the Peterborough area.

Toronto police say the investigation began in November 2012 and also involved officers with the Peterborough Lakefield Community Police.

Police say a search warrant was executed on Monday at a home in Peterborough and James Alex Brunton, 65, was arrested.

He faces nine charges including possession of child pornography, sexual exploitation, invitation to sexual touching and exposing genitals to a person under 16 -- all of which stem from Brunton's alleged contact over a number of years with a man, now 18, in the United States.

He is also charged with sexual assault, forcible confinement, making a deceptive statement under the Customs Act and extortion, stemming from his alleged contact with a 29-year-old man in the United States.

Police say Brunton is very active in the Peterborough hockey community and has served as secretary, manager, assistant or volunteer for the Peterborough Minor Petes AAA, the Lakefield Chiefs Jr. Hockey, the Peterborough Junior C Lakers and the Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey.

He has also volunteered at the Telecare Distress Centres of Canada, police said.

Brunton is further charged with 25 counts of voyeurism, 12 counts of making child pornography and 12 counts of possession of child pornography stemming from his alleged involvement in covertly making videos in hockey team locker rooms.

He was scheduled to appear in a Toronto court on Tuesday.

Police say the investigation, which dates back to 2003, is continuing and they believe there may be more victims.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Toronto or Peterborough police or Crime Stoppers. A dedicated tip-line has also been set up at 416-808-5110.