On January 13th, 2024, a Port Hope female attended the Port Hope Police Service to report that her 10-year-old daughter had been in communication with an adult male over social media including images of a sexual nature being exchanged between the two.
The incident came to light when her mother received a phone bill in the amount of $6,000 CAD for her 10-year-old’s phone. The mother spoke with her daughter and learned that she met a male online on the gaming site “Fortnite” and the male asked for the child’s phone number. The number was provided by the child which led to text messages and phone calls. During the calls, the male wanted the child to be his girlfriend and pushed to develop the relationship. Information was received that if the child did not do what was requested, the male would expose the relationship to her parents.
The Port Hope Police contacted Homeland Security Investigation for assistance as it appeared the male party was in the area of Richmond, Kentucky.
As a result of an investigation involving Homeland Security Investigation and the OPP, a 51-year-old male from Richmond Kentucky, was arrested and charged with Child Luring. He had also breached his parole and was served additional charges. He remains in custody in the United States.
Anyone with information on a crime are asked to contact Port Hope Police at 905-885-8123 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS