NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
***************************
In August of 2019, members of the Niagara Regional Police Service 3 District Uniform Patrol and the Internet Child Exploitation (I.C.E.) commenced an investigation into the sexual exploitation of a child.
The investigation led investigators to a St. Catharines residence. On Aug. 15, 2019, members assigned to the Niagara Regional Police Service's I.C.E. Unit, concluded their investigation, which resulted in the identification of a suspect.
As a result, 40-year-old Norman Mark Venne of St. Catharines, Ont. was arrested and charged with the following:
• make available sexually explicit material to person under or believed to be under 16 years s.171.1(1)(b) CC
• expose genitals to a person under 16 years of age s.173(2) CC
• fail to comply with probation order s.733.1(1) CC
Venne has been held in custody pending a bail hearing which will take place on Thursday, Aug. 15, 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.
Information on crimes can also be submitted anonymously using Crime Stoppers of Niagara.
To leave an anonymous tip, please contact Crime Stoppers via:
Telephone - 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)
Online - www.niagaratips.ca
Crime Stoppers guarantees that you will remain anonymous through any of the methods offered to provide tips. You may also be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000 if the information leads to an arrest.
***************************
