A Sarnia man is among 122 people arrested in online child sex abuse investigations that police say are a one month snapshot revealing just the "tip of the iceberg."
Ronald W. Olde, 71, is charged with possession of child pornography and breach of probation.
Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) investigators across the province, as well as municipal police services, Canada Border Services Agency, Homeland Security and the FBI worked together to identify and help 55 victims in November alone.
Police news conference into online sexual child abuse in the province. December 5, 2018 Photo courtesy of Ontario Provincial Police.
OPP Staff Sgt. Sharon Hanlon, Coordinator of the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet, said the youngest victim was three years old.
"This means that 55 victims have been removed from the cycle of abuse they were experiencing at the hands of these offenders in this last month alone," said Hanlon. "I am confident we will be saving more children as a direct result of these warrants."
The accused are from across Ontario with a number being arrested in Strathroy, London, and Chatham.
Staff Sgt. Hanlon said those charged come from all walks of life.
"Charged persons include former and present teachers, emergency services personnel, members of our military, engineers, immediate family members of the victims, we have a female," said Hanlon. " I think it's clear this crime crosses all demographics, employment, social status and age."
A total of 551 charges were laid, ranging from sexual assault, sexual interference, making and possession of child pornography, luring, voyeurism and more.
At a news conference in Vaughan, police displayed a video showing 834 unique IP addresses associated with the possession or making available of child sexual abuse material, or were present on a suspected child pornography website.
Police also seized 17 firearms including three loaded handguns.
A full list of the suspects and the charges they face can be viewed by clicking here.