A Chatham man has been charged with child luring.
Chatham-Kent police said last month they became aware of a video that was circulating on social media and began investigating its contents, which included conversations through Instagram.
Jeremy Gibson, 41, of Chatham, was arrested on Monday and charged with luring a child under the age of 16. Police said he was also charged with making sexually explicit material available to a person under the age of 16. He was released with conditions and will make an appearance in court on December 17, 2019.
Constable Renee Cowell, the public information officer with Chatham-Kent police, said it's important for parents to stay involved with their children's online activities in a way that respects their privacy while ensuring they are safe.
"The Chatham-Kent Police Service would like to encourage parents to talk to their children about their social media presence," said Cowell. “It’s important to be aware of what your kids are doing online and who they are talking to."
“If you suspect a child is being abused or may be a victim of online sexual exploitation, please call police immediately," added Detective Sergeant Gabe Tetrault of the Criminal Investigations Branch. "Together, we can reduce child victimization and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.”
For more information regarding internet safety and resources on how to prevent the online sexual exploitation of children, visit https://www.cybertip.ca/app/en/internet_safety.