Peterborough Police Just Helped Crack An International Case Involving A Man Preying On Kids Online

Peterborough Police Service have assisted in a joint investigation with Homeland Security that has lead to the arrest of a Louisiana man charged with a sextortion scheme involving children.

Here's how police worked with other forces to crack the case:

In November of 2014, Peterborough Police Service Constable Stephen Cox attended an address in Lakefield and spoke with a 12-year-old girl who was being extorted through an online app for nude images by an adult male.

Detective Ryan Wilson of the Peterborough Police Service conducted a follow-up and obtained a suspect’s IP address by means of a Production Order and determined that the suspect resided in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
 
The reports of Constable Cox and Detective Wilson were forwarded to the Department of Homeland Security in Ottawa and eventually to the Baton Rouge field office in Louisiana.

The District Attorney in the State of Louisiana advised Peterborough Police that because of their investigation, a warrant was executed in Louisiana where at least four other victims were identified in various locations across the United States.
 
As result of the joint investigation, the accused Matthew Chaney Walker, 25, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is facing a number of charges including extortion, production of child pornography, receipt of child pornography, possession of child pornography and forfeiture.
 
“The work of Constable Cox and Detective Wilson was exemplary and demonstrates the benefits of both our generalist philosophy and collaborative approach,” says Detective Staff Sergeant Lynne Buehler, Peterborough Police Service.

“The benefits of our force having a member of the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet is apparent in this case. Detective Wilson represented our Service with the highest professionalism, which contributed to the successful investigation and prosecution of this case,” adds Detective Buehler.

The investigation of this case is ongoing. To date, four female child victims have been identified and law enforcement is attempting to confirm the identity of other victims.
 
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim is encouraged to call the Peterborough Police Service at 705-876-1122.

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