The arrests were part of Project Steel, a national operation led by the OPP Child Sexual Exploitation Unit
A 16-year-old Kingston boy is among 40 people arrested in a major Ontario Provincial Police operation targeting online child exploitation.
The teen was charged with possessing, accessing, and sharing child pornography. He was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on March 25 in Pembroke.
The arrests were part of Project Steel, a national operation led by the OPP Child Sexual Exploitation Unit in partnership with 25 municipal police services, including Kingston Police.
Investigators identified 31 victims and safeguarded 20 children. A total of 151 charges were laid, and officers seized 686 electronic devices.
Among those arrested was a repeat violent offender previously convicted of sexual crimes. Police say seized devices uncovered evidence of a child sexual assault in a public space and online victimization of unidentified children.
Authorities urge the public to report child exploitation at cybertip.ca or contact local police. If a child is in danger, call 911.
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