York man charged with five counts of child sexual assault

York Regional Police released an image of Steven De Melis who is being charged with sexual assault of five children. (Credit: Peel Regional Police)

Peel police have arrested a 49-year-old man in connection with the alleged sexual assault of numerous underage girls.

Police say that the suspect communicated online with the victims using the aliases “Jimmy”, “Jimmy Smoke”, and “Steve McQueen” between February 2024 and June 2025.

A suspect, identified as Steven De Melis, of York Region, was arrested last week and charged with a total of 23 offences, including five counts of sexual assault. He is also facing a charge for luring a child under the age of 14.

Police say that investigators believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward. The suspect is known to have ties to York, Toronto, Mississauga, and Simcoe County, police say.