NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
*************************
In March of 2019, members of the Niagara Regional Police Service Internet Child Exploitation (I.C.E.) commenced an investigation into the sexual exploitation of children.
On May 16, 2019, members assigned to the Niagara Regional Police Service's I.C.E. Unit with the assistance of the Technological Crime Unit and 1 District Uniform patrol executed a search warrant at a St. Catharines residence.
As a result of the investigation, on May 16, 2019, 24-year-old Joshua Chambers of St. Catharines, Ont. was arrested and charged with the following alleged offences:
• Count 1 - possession of child pornography Sec. 163.1(4) CC
• Count 2 - accessing child pornography Sec. 163.1(4.1) CC
• Count 3 - distributing child pornography Sec. 163.1(3) CC
• Count 4 - possession of child pornography Sec. 163.1(4) CC
Chambers has been held in custody pending a bail hearing which will take place on Thursday, May 16, 2019 at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse located at 59 Church St., St. Catharines, Ont.
Members of the public are also encouraged to report crimes anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
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 numerous Ontario Police Services. This investigative initiative has been made possible by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
Members of the public can report suspicious Internet activities relating to child exploitation to the Niagara Regional Police Service, or online. Internet safety tips for parents, children and Internet users are also available on the Cybertip website.
*************************
