(ORILLIA, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Child Sexual Exploitation Unit (CSEU), Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry OPP, Grenville OPP along with OPP Digital Forensics investigators have arrested and charged a resident of Cornwall with Child Luring offences after an online undercover operation.
On June 8, 2021, 53-year old Frank J. PREVOST of Cornwall was arrested and charged under the Criminal Code with three counts of Luring a child, contrary to section 172.1(1)(b) of the Criminal Code.
As a result of a separate investigation involving an adult victim, the accused has also been charged with one count of Sexual assault, contrary to section 271 of the Criminal Code.
The accused was held for a video bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Cornwall.
The OPP has seen an increase in online offender behaviour, by those persons intent on the sexual exploitation of children. As a result, members of OPP CSEU are actively conducting proactive online luring investigations to aggressively target these offenders.
Parents are reminded to take a proactive approach to help protect their children from online sexual exploitation by speaking with their children regarding Internet safety. Parents and anyone interested in protecting children can find resources to assist them at www.cybertip.ca.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation, or if you have information regarding Internet child exploitation, please contact the OPP at . If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at (TIPS) or 1-800-222-8477 www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca. Reporting information may also be made on the internet through www.cybertip.ca. 1-888-310-1122