(File photo courtesy © Can Stock Photo Inc. / scanrail)(File photo courtesy © Can Stock Photo Inc. / scanrail)
Midwestern

Collingwood area man faces child pornography charges

A 69-year-old Clarksburg man faces charges following a three month investigation into child pornography offences.

Members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Child Sexual Exploitation Unit, Digital Forensic Unit, the Collingwood OPP, and the Town of the Blue Mountains OPP Detachment searched a Clarksburg home February 2, 2023, and seized multiple electronic devices that are alleged to have contained images of child sexual abuse.

The accused faces six counts of Possession of Child Pornography and five counts of Accessing Child Pornography under the Criminal Code. He is being held for a bail hearing.

"Our reality today is that every person around the world with a sexual interest in children has immediate access to children on the Internet. We, as parents and community members, must know who our children are interacting with online. These offenders are very manipulative and use technology to access children, even though they may be in another city or country,"  said Detective Staff Sergeant Sharon Hanlon, Child Sexual Exploitation Unit

The OPP promise to aggressively identify and pursue individuals who exploit children. And they are asking parents to speak to their children about Internet safety.  Resources can be found at cybertip.ca or protectchildren.ca.

If you have information regarding internet child exploitation and wish to provide information anonymously you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca. Reporting information may also be made on the internet through cybertip.ca.

Read More Local Stories

New military crosswalk rendering. (Image courtesy of the Sarnia Legion Branch 62)

New military crosswalk in Sarnia to be unveiled

As part of a partnership between the Sarnia Legion Branch 62 and City of Sarnia, an unveiling ceremony will be held at the corner of Christina Street and Wellington Street on Sunday, June 7, at 2 p.m.

Members of the Sarnia Police Service entering a Tashmoo Avenue residence on June 4, 2026. (Photo courtesy of the Sarnia Police Service)

Two men arrested in Tashmoo Ave. standoff

Sarnia police said the investigation began on May 29 after the victim was allegedly attacked by acquaintances at a residence near Tashmoo Avenue and Christopher Drive at Aamjiwnaang First Nation.