Two men from Ottawa are among 36 people arrested and facing a total of 128 charges in connection with a child sexual exploitation investigation, the Ontario Provincial Police said Thursday.
Marc Tasse, 61, and Dominic Gamble, 40, have both been charged with two counts of luring a child under age 16. Both were released from custody with court appearances scheduled for Thursday and July 9, respectively.
Charges were also laid against 33 other Ontario men and one from British Columbia, ranging in age from 18 to 73, the OPP said in a news release, adding that some of the accused could not be identified due to publication bans.
Fifty-one investigations remain ongoing, police added.
The release said 21 police services from the Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Strategy took part in a luring investigation between March 31 and April 11. “Although this was a luring investigation in which officers posed as children online and waited for offenders to make contact, nine real victims were identified. They have been provided support and are safe.”
In a statement with the news release, OPP Det. Staff Sgt. Tim Brown said the results of the investigation “highlight a sobering reality: predators can easily reach children in online spaces. We urge parents and guardians to remain vigilant and to talk to your children about staying safe online. Just as you wouldn’t leave your child alone in a city, don’t let them navigate the online world alone.”
The Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Strategy comprises the Ontario Provincial Police Child Sexual Exploitation Unit, 26 municipal police services — including the Ottawa Police Service — the Ministry of the Attorney General and the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
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