Regional police, OPP make four arrests following child sexual exploitation investigation
Posted Feb 24, 2021 03:21:00 PM.
Four residents of Kitchener and Cambridge are facing charges following a joint child sexual exploitation investigation, carried out by Waterloo Regional Police and Ontario Provincial Police.
Police allege the accused tried to lure minors, for sexual purposes, via social media and chatrooms.
Project Darby took place over three days, from November 17 to Nov. 19, 2020.
The ages of the four people who were arrested range from 30 to 50 years old, three of which were taken into custody when they arrived at a set location to allegedly meet a child for a sexual purpose.
Investigators say one suspect even traveled from another jurisdiction to meet a child.
The following charges have been laid as a result of Project Darby:
– Jason John MACLAUGHLIN, 46, Kitchener • invitation to sexual touching • making child pornography • luring a person under 16 (two counts) • uttering threats (two counts)
– Jonathan Charles UPSDELL, 30, Cambridge • luring a person under 16
– Christopher M. FUNSTON, 48, Kitchener • luring a person under 16 • making sexually explicit material available to a child • agreeing or arranging to commit a sexual offence against a child (two counts)
– Roger Yvan BELLAIRE, 50, Kitchener • luring a person under 16 (two counts)
Child Sexual Exploitation Investigation https://t.co/crSsCpGVKy
— Ontario Provincial Police (@OPP_News) February 24, 2021
