Police: Brant County resident facing child pornography charges

A 35-year-old Brant County resident faces child pornography charges following a lengthy investigation into online sexual exploitation.

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The accused has been charged with making child pornography, possession of child pornography, making available child pornography, accessing child pornography, sexual assault and sexual interference.

Police said Monday the accused remains in custody pending a bail hearing.

The charges followed a Dec. 4 search warrant at a Brant County residence where a quantity of electronic devices were seized, police said.

“This investigation highlights the importance of collaborative efforts among law enforcement in combating online child exploitation,” Det. Staff Sgt. Chris Barkey of the OPP Child Sexual Exploitation Unit, said. “Through continued cooperation can we effectively protect the most vulnerable and ensure a safer digital world for our children.”

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The investigation was conducted by the OPP sexual exploitation unit with the assistance of OPP Digital Forensics, Brant County OPP, West Region Criminal Operations, Toronto Police Service, Brantford Police Service and several international policing partners.

Barkey said the OPP will continue to aggressively identify and pursue individuals who exploit children.

Parents are reminded to take a proactive approach to help protect their children from online sexual exploitation by speaking with their children regarding Internet safety. Parents can find resources to assist them at cybertip.ca gold protectchildren.ca.

Officer recovery

A Brantford police officer has recovered from physical injuries suffered during the Dec. 3 arrest of a 39-year-old woman.

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The officer was responding to a call from a concerned citizen at about 2:10 pm following a single-vehicle collision on Glenwood Drive near Kiwanis Way. A woman believed to be in possession of a handgun was seen fleeing the area on foot, heading towards the No Frills plaza.

Pauline Johnson Collegiate and Major Ballachey School on Rawdon Street were placed in a temporary lockdown while officers searched the vicinity.

A suspect was located and taken into custody inside a fast-food restaurant at Dalhousie and Stanley streets.

During the arrest, the officer saw the suspect ingest a foreign substance believed to be fentanyl, police said in a media release. The officer intervened, potentially saving the suspect’s life, by attempting to remove the suspected drugs from the suspect’s mouth, police said.

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The officer was then bitten by the suspect and exposed to the suspected fentanyl. The officer began to exhibit signs of fentanyl exposure and was transported to hospital for treatment.

The accused has been charged with assaulting police causing bodily harm, possession of a controlled substance, breach of probation and carrying a concealed weapon.

Police said the woman was found to be in possession of a BB gun and was wanted on two outstanding arrest warrants.

Missing person alert

Brantford police have issued a missing person alert.

Leslie, 45, was last seen in Market Street and Nelson Street area at mid-day Nov. 26. Police do not provide last names of people reported missing.

Police describe Leslie as being 5’4” inches in height, weighing 155 lbs. with a medium build, dark complexion and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black coat with fur trim, a white sweater, gray jogging pants and sheepskin-style boots.

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Police are concerned for Leslie’s well-being and anyone with knowledge of her whereabouts is asked to call police at 519-756-7050 or Brant Brantford Crime Stoppers at 519-750-8477 or 1-800-222-8477 or online at www. crimestoppersbb.com/submit-a-tip/.

Offender apprehended

A federal offender who has been unlawfully at large since Nov. 29 has been apprehended.

Tyler Harvey was found and arrested by Waterloo Regional Police, the province’s Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement Squad (ROPE) announced Monday (Dec. 9).

Harvey is serving a three sentence for armed robbery, failure to comply with an order, failure to comply with an undertaking, failure to comply with a probation order and attempt to commit an unspeakable offense – theft under $5,000.

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