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In September 2024, Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) Detectives assigned to the Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit commenced an investigation into the alleged sexual exploitation of children.  

On September 10, 2024, Detectives from the NRPS ICE Unit and Technological Crime Unit executed a search warrant at a private residence in St. Catharines and seized numerous devices capable of storing electronic data.  Harry Michael Ward (22 years of age) of St. Catharines was arrested and is now facing the following charges:

  • 2 Counts of Possession of Child Pornography
  • 2 Counts of Accessing Child Pornography
  • 2 Counts of Distributing Child Pornography

Ward was held in custody after his arrest and is set to appear for a bail hearing on September 10, 2024, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street, in the City of St. Catharines.

Online platforms that allow like-minded users to engage with minors, create, share, and store Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) are prevalent on the Internet.  Offenders who attempt to lure children behind an anonymous accounts on different platforms can be identified and will be held accountable for their actions.

For more information on how parents and guardians can keep children safe online CLICK HERE

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 Ontario Police Services and International Partners. This investigative initiative has been made possible by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.

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