Guelph police fear more victims in child luring investigation
Posted Jul 3, 2026 03:41:47 PM.
Last Updated Jul 3, 2026 03:51:34 PM.
Guelph police have released the identity of a man arrested in June on child luring charges and they think there may be other victims.
69-year-old Paul Barnes was arrested on June 18, following an investigation that began two months earlier.
In April, Guelph police were contacted by two people who had communicated with an individual after finding their phone number scrawled on the wall of a bathroom at a south-end business.
One of the callers said they were 12 years-old and arranged to meet a man for sexual activity.
After police were told this, an investigation was opened and an undercover officer called the number, posing as a 15-year-old boy. They arranged to meet in a local park.
Barnes has been charged with two counts of arranging by telecommunication to commit a sexual offence against a child.
He was held for a bail hearing then released. He is next scheduled to appear in court on July 14.
Guelph police say they are concerned there may be other victims who have not yet been identified or have not come forward.
Information should be directed to Detective Constable Sam Johnston of the Guelph Police Service Internet Child Exploitation Unit at 519-824-1212, ext. 7214, or by email at sjohnston@guelphpolice.ca.
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