Beginning in September 2014, the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service began an investigation into a person possessing and making child pornography. A search warrant was executed at a Sault Ste Marie residence, a computer system was seized for analysis and a 52 year old male arrested and charged as follows:
One count of possession of child pornography
One count of voyeurism
In an effort to protect the identity of any victims as well as the integrity of the investigation, the accused’s name was not released to the public.
A detailed forensic examination of the items seized by police resulted in several victims under the age of 18 being identified which also lead to additional criminal charges.
On the 3rd of February officers from the Technological Crime Unit and Investigation Services arrested and charged the accused, who has been in custody, with additional offences.
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is now in a position to identify the accused from this lengthy investigation.
Guy Terrance Coutu of Sault Ste. Marie has been charged with:
Three counts of make child pornography
Two counts of possess child pornography
One count of distribute child pornography
One count of make arrangement for sexual offence against a child
One count of internet luring
One count of voyeurism
Mr. Coutu appeared in bail court on February 4th.
The information found on Mr. COUTU’s computer resulted in a joint investigation with London Police Service.
Through further police investigation, a second male subject was identified and charged with several offences involving two children. These offences included sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, sexual assault and making child pornography.
Both the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service and the London Police Service are members of the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet
Investigators with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service feel that there may be more victims and are appealing to anyone who has any knowledge or contact with the accused to please call Investigations Services at 705-949-6300 to speak to Detective Constable Erkkila at ext. 349 or Detective Constable Spina at ext. 260.
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service would like to remind the public that the computer and technology are very useful tools that can be utilized by our youth for educational purposes. However; there are dangers to the internet and the cyber world. There are many steps parents can take to education themselves and their children to safeguard them from the dangers. One of the sites that has valuable information is Cybertips.ca
The matter is now before the courts and no further details are being released at this time.
