An investigation by the Thunder Bay Police Service’s cyber crime unit into the non-consensual sharing of intimate content has led to the arrest of 12 individuals facing a combined 172 charges, police said in a news release Wednesday.
The investigation, which began in 2023, was launched after authorities learned that intimate images of multiple women in Thunder Bay were being shared through groups on an online chat platform. The probe identified 117 victims, including individuals across Canada and in at least three other countries.
Investigators executed 26 production orders, 18 search warrants and 15 general warrants, seizing nearly 600 exhibits as part of the case.
The 12 men charged range in age from 30 to 38 years of age and have all been charged with distribution of intimate images without consent and seven face charges of possession and/or distribution of child pornography.
The accused individuals have since turned themselves in to police.
One man, 34, has been charged with two counts of identity fraud, two counts of unauthorized use of a computer, mischief, accessing child pornography, possession of child pornography and distributing child pornography in addition to 90 counts of distribution of intimate images without consent.
Another accused, 38, is also charged with luring and extortion in addition to his intimate images and child pornography charges.
The 12 accused appeared in court on Feb.5 and have been scheduled for future court appearances.
No specific details have been released about the victims.
“Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to please contact Det. Const. Joel Manherz at 807-684-1200 ext. 4115,” said police.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers.
The incident number for the case is TB23038000.
Correction
An earlier version of the article indicated that eight accused faced child pornography-related charges in error.
