Etobicoke Catholic School Board youth worker Tyler Pennels has been charged by police in an online luring investigation.
An Etobicoke Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) youth worker is among 60 people arrested in a police online luring investigation.
The OPP said the suspect was working at TCDSB as an education assistant. He has been placed on administrative leave.
The suspect was charged following a search warrant of a Martin Grove Road and Eglinton Avenue West home and charged with two counts of luring a child under 16, invitation to sexual touching and transmitting sexually explicit material to a person under 16.
Police said the suspect had expressed interest with working with youth who have developmental disabilities.
Suspect sought to work with youth with developmental issues. He was among 60 people arrested.
The OPP said the suspect was allegedly using different names on various social media platforms. Offices believe there may be more victims.
Tyler Pennels, 26, was arrested last February by police in an investigation dubbed Project Aquatic that probed an online luring ring.
The OPP on May 8 said more than 60 people were arrested, and over 300 charges have been laid in a province-wide online investigation. The suspects ranged in age from 16 to 89.
The force said their investigation began last February, with authorities identifying and arresting those accused of making, possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material.
OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique whose officers conducted the online luring probe.
During the investigation, it’s alleged that one individual set up a meeting with undercover investigators intending to meet with a child in real life for a sexual purpose. Another person owned approximately 21 terabytes of data containing child sexual abuse material.
OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said 34 identified victims were provided victim support, and 30 impacted children were safeguarded. The ages of the victims range from infants to teenagers.
“Our collective strength lies in our ongoing commitment to protect children from the impacts of sexual exploitation,” said Carrique.
The OPP also named another man from Toronto who allegedly placed hidden cameras inside washrooms at various coffee shops.
The investigation involved 27 police services from across the province, including those in the Greater Toronto Area.