Project Time leads to child exploitation charges in Kingston and area

Kingston Police joined 25 other municipal police services and the OPP in arresting 63 individuals, four from Kingston.

Five people from Kingston and Belleville are among 63 individuals charged as part of Project Time, a provincewide investigation targeting online child sexual exploitation.

The Ontario Provincial Police said the operation involved the OPP and 25 other police services through the Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Strategy. Police laid 213 charges, identified 51 victims, seized 814 electronic devices and conducted 264 criminal investigations. Another 154 investigations remain ongoing.

Among those charged is 45-year-old William Paul O'Brien of Belleville, who faces multiple charges including possession, distribution and making child sexual abuse material, along with several firearms-related offences. He was held in custody.

Kingston residents James Glenn, 79, Minyang Fan, 24, and Yuheng Dai, 26, were also charged with child sexual abuse material offences. Thomas Rogers, 35, of Kingston was charged with two counts of failing to comply with a prohibition order.

The allegations have not been proven in court.

Police said reports of online child sexual exploitation have increased significantly in recent years. They encourage parents, educators, technology providers and the public to help protect children online. Anyone with information is asked to contact their local police service or report it through Cybertip.ca.

Story by KingstonDaily.ca Staff