A 57-year-old London woman is among four people, including a man who had a small role in the television show "Degrassi High", arrested in a child pornography investigation by Toronto police.
The woman, whose name was not released, was arrested along with 45-year-old Jason (a.k.a. Byrd) Dickens of Toronto, 31-year-old Dylan Anne McEwen of Toronto, and 25-year-old Tina Ewen of Thunder Bay.
Dickens appeared in several episodes of "Degrassi High" and has since worked in television and film in off-camera positions.
It's alleged the London woman took part in the sexual abuse of a child with Dickens between 2000 and 2006 after meeting him online and in person. Police claim the abuse was recorded and distributed online.
The woman's alleged involvement came to light after Toronto police searched a west Toronto apartment and seized evidence that a man and a woman were engaged in the sexual abuse of children and animals. That evidence led to the arrests of Dickens and McEwen. Both face sexual assault, child pornography, and bestiality charges.
The London woman is charged with:
- Two counts of Sexual Assault
- Two counts of Sexual Interference
- Two counts of Invitation to Sexual Touching
- Two counts of Make Child Pornography
- Distribute Child Pornography
- Possess Child Pornography
The investigation also led police to allege that Dickens met a Thunder Bay woman online and in person, and that they made a video of the sexual abuse of a child. That led to the arrest of Tina Ewen. She faces several charges.
No other information will be released in order to protect the identity of the victims, all of whom have been rescued and interviewed by police.
Police are concerned there may be other victims.
