Windsor police have arrested a 67-year-old man after an investigation into the sexual exploitation of a 16-year-old girl. Members of the Windsor Police Service Internet Child Exploitation Unit began an investigation on Jan. 12 after receiving a report about the online sexual exploitation of a 16-year-old female victim. Investigators say they determined that the victim had been communicating with the suspect through a social media platform and had also met him in person. They also learned the suspect possessed child sexual abuse and exploitation material. Further investigation revealed that the suspect is currently charged with child luring and bound by a release order stemming from a separate investigation conducted by the Chatham-Kent Police Service in October 2023. That release order included conditions prohibiting him from communicating with any females under the age of 18. Shortly before 11 a.m. on Feb. 3, members of the Internet Child Exploitation Unit, with the assistance of OPP Essex Detachment, executed a search warrant and arrested the suspect at a residence in the 700 block of County Road 46 in Essex. Michael Byrne, 67, has been charged with the following offences: Anyone with information is asked to contact Windsor Police ICE unit at 519-255-6700, ext. 4896. They can also contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 519-258-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.catchcrooks.com.
