NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
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In October of 2020, members of the Niagara Regional Police Service's Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) commenced an investigation into the sexual exploitation of children.
In May of 2021, members assigned to the Niagara Regional Police Service's ICE Unit and Technological Crime Unit concluded their investigation, which resulted in the identification of a suspect.
As a result of the investigation, on June 2, 2021, 77-year-old Dimitrios Karounos and 28-year-old Dimitri Karounos of Niagara Falls, Ont. were arrested and charged with the following:
Dimitrios Karounos:
• One count of possession of child pornography Sec. 163.1(4) CC
• One count of accessing child pornography Sec. 163.1 (4.1) CC
• One count of make available child pornography Sec. 163.1 (3) CC
Dimitri Karounos:
• One count of possession of child pornography Sec. 163.1(4) CC
Dimitri Karounos has been held in custody pending a bail hearing which will take place on Thursday, June 3, 2021 at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse located at 59 Church St., St. Catharines, Ont.
The accused are grandfather and grandson residing in the same Niagara Falls home.
Members of the public are also encouraged to report crimes anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
The Niagara Regional Police Service is a member of the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet and conducts investigations into Internet Child Exploitation Offences in partnership with numerous Ontario Police Services. This investigative initiative has been made possible by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
Members of the public can report suspicious Internet activities relating to child exploitation to the Niagara Regional Police Service, or online. Internet safety tips for parents, children and Internet users are also available on the Cybertip website. Cybertip is Canada’s national tip line for reporting the online sexual exploitation of children. Tips from the public can help protect children from sexual abuse. Canadians are encouraged to report concerns to Cybertip if someone they know may be victimizing children online. For more information on addressing child victimization or to report concerns visit here.
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