A 27-year-old Charlottetown man is facing several charges related to sexually exploiting minors over the internet, including child luring and sextortion, city police said Thursday.
Charlottetown Police Services arrested Nathan Paul Green on Wednesday, as a result of an investigation spurred by a report about his online activities from the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, the force said in a news release.
The report identified an individual using the online handle “radiod33r” who was alleged to be engaged in the sexual exploitation of underage girls through the social media apps Kik and Snapchat, according to the release.
“Over the course of several months and through various investigative technology techniques, Major Crime Unit investigators determined that the offences extended beyond Canadian borders and, as a result, collaborated with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Europol in the United Kingdom and successfully identified the suspect as Nathan Paul Green,” the news release said.
Police said the investigation revealed that one minor living in Charlottetown had previously been contacted by the accused. The matter had been investigated by the Major Crime Unit, but “the investigation was concluded at the time as several factors beyond police control limited further progress,” according to the release.
On Wednesday, police executed a search warrant at a residence in Charlottetown. Investigators seized hard drives, cellphones, desktop computers and laptop computers for forensic examination.
As a result, police charged Green with the following offences:
Green appeared in court Thursday and was remanded into custody until his next court appearance on Sept. 4.
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“Parents and caregivers are the frontline when it comes to protecting children on the Internet and electronic devices,” the police news release said. “Being engaged and staying aware of the potential risks can help create a safer online environment for our youth. We encourage you to remain vigilant in your efforts.”
Charlottetown police are asking people to contact them at 902-629-4064 if they believe they may have been victimized by the accused or have information related to the case.
Information can also be provided anonymously through P.E.I. Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or at www.peicrimestoppers.com.
Reporting of any online exploitation can also be made at Canada’s National Tipline for Reporting the Online Sexual Exploitation of Children at cybertip.ca.
There are resources and supports available to anyone who has experienced sexual violence: