NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
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In August 2023, Niagara Regional Police Service detectives assigned to the Internet Child Exploitation Unit began an investigation into numerous uploads of child sexual abuse material to a Google cloud-based storage service.
On Jan. 17, detectives from Niagara Police Services executed a search warrant at a private residence in the City of Welland and seized devices capable of storing electronic data. These devices were examined by members of the NRPS Technological Crimes Unit. This examination uncovered evidence relating to accessing and sharing images of child sexual abuse material on the internet.
On Jan. 18, 2024 ICE Unit detectives located and arrested Joshau Couto Paiva, 28, of Welland who is now facing the following charges:
- two counts of possessing child pornography
- one count of accessing child pornography
Paiva was held in custody after his arrest and is set to appear for a bail hearing on Jan. 19 at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse.
Online platforms that allow like-minded users to create, share and store child sexual abuse material are prevalent on the Internet. Offenders who try and hide their illegal CSAM collections behind an anonymous account in the “cloud” can be identified and will be held accountable for their actions.
For more information on how parents and guardians can keep children safe online CLICK HERE
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 Ontario Police Services and International Partners. This investigative initiative has been made possible by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.
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