A London man faces luring and child pornography-related charges in connection to an investigation that was initially launched overseas.
The alleged incidents date back to 2020, according to investigators with the London Police Service's Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit.
Earlier this year, London police launched an investigation of a man accused of uploading pornographic images of a suspected minor to a social media platform where they were made available to be viewed by the public.
Investigators then learned from the Metropolitan police in the United Kingdom that the same suspect reportedly communicated online with a teenaged girl from the UK. Police in the UK said the suspect, who is said to have been aware of the victim's age, got into a relationship with her through the site.
Police later learned lewd photos and videos were shared between the pair, and the man started to threaten the girl, telling her that he would share the images with other people if she refused to send more. The man is also said to have threatened the victim with physical harm.
On June 17, London police conducted a search warrant at a home on Dudley Crescent. During the probe, computers were seized and evidence was found.
Police have since laid charges against 22-year-old man from London. As a result of the two incidents, he faces nine charges including:
• Two counts of unlawful possession of child pornography
• Unlawfully accessing child pornography.
• Importing/selling/distributing child pornography.
• Printing/publishing/possessing child pornography.
• Luring of a person under 18 by telecommunication.
• Transmitting sexually explicit material to a person under 18.
• Extortion.
• Uttering threats of death or bodily harm.
He has since been released from custody and is expected to appear in court on December 7.