NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
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In March of 2019, members of the Niagara Regional Police Service Internet Child Exploitation (I.C.E.) Unit were alerted by both the Halton Regional Police Service Internet Child Exploitation Unit, and the Hamilton Police Service Internet Child Exploitation Unit of an investigation into the sexual exploitation of children.
The investigation led investigators to an Ottawa residence, and required the assistance of the Ottawa Police Service's Internet Child Exploitation Unit. On March 27, 2019, members assigned to the Niagara Regional Police Service's I.C.E. Unit, assisted by members of the Ottawa Police Service's Internet Child Exploitation Unit and Technological Crimes Unit, executed a search warrant at an Ottawa home. A number of computer systems and storage media were seized and forensically examined.
As a result of the investigation, on March 27, 2019, 31-year-old Richard Fortier of Ottawa, Ont. was arrested and charged with the following:
• count one - make available child pornography Sec.163.1(3)CC
• count two - accessing child pornography Sec. 163.1 (4.1)CC
• count three - make available child pornography Sec.163.1(3) CC
• count four - accessing child pornography Sec. 163.1 (4.1)CC
• count five - possession of child pornography Sec. 163.1(4)CC
Fortier has been held in custody pending a bail hearing which will take place on Thursday, March 28, 2019 at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church St., St. Catharines, Ont.
Through the course of the investigation, members of the Niagara Regional Police Service's I.C.E. Unit have reason to believe that there are additional witnesses within the community, and are asking the community for assistance in gathering this information.
Anyone with information in this matter is asked to contact Detective Constable Michael Pataran at 905-688-4111 ext. 9341 or at [email protected].
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 with financial assistance from the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services and the Ministry of the Attorney 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.
Information on crimes can also be submitted anonymously using Crime Stoppers of Niagara.
To leave an anonymous tip, please contact Crime Stoppers via:
Telephone - 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)
Online - www.niagaratips.ca
Crime Stoppers guarantees that you will remain anonymous through any of the methods offered to provide tips. You may also be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000 if the information leads to an arrest.
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