Covert online investigations by VicPd's Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) investigator has resulted in the arrest of 2 men -- with a total of 10 charges being recommended.
Covert online investigations by VicPd's Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) investigator has resulted in the arrest of 2 men -- with a total of 10 charges being recommended.
The first case came to light in June last year after West Shore RCMP received information about potential child luring over the Internet. The victim lived in the West Shore area, and the suspect was determined to be in Esquimalt.
Following investigation into the suspect's online activity a search warrant was executed last Wednesday. Multiple charges are being recommended against a 61 year old man:
- Luring a child under 16 years old
- Making child pornography
- Possession of child pornography
- Luring a child under 14 years old
- Making sexually explicit material available to a child
- Agreement or arrangement for sexual offence against a child
- Distribution of child pornography, and
- Counselling an offence that is not committed (sexual interference)
The man was released on a promise to appear with multiple conditions.
Then on Nov. 1st, a second investigation began into the activities of a 28 year old man. The ICE investigator determined the man wanted to sexually abuse a child. A meeting was arranged with the man at an apartment building, and when he arrived multiple officers moved in and arrested him. Gurpreet Singh of India has ben charged with a count of luring a child under 16 years old.
It's since been determined Singh has been in Canada illegally since 2014. Police are working with border services to determine his status.