A months-long investigation with help from police in Alberta has led to the arrest of a London man who is now facing a number of child pornography-related charges.
The incident began in the summer according to London police. On August 18, a man allegedly started an online conversation with a female who told the man she was 13-years-old. The man reportedly continued to have a sexually graphic conversation with the girl, which carried on for over a month.
London police officials were later alerted of the interactions by members of the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) and an investigation was launched.
On September 23, members of London police’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit and Digital Forensic Unit went to a home on Adelaide Street North to conduct a search, and a male suspect was arrested.
“The collaboration between the two police services highlights the value of inter-agency communication in combating the sexual exploitation of our children online,” said ICE Detective Jeremy Dann.
During the search, police say more than one computer device was seized.
As a result, 31-year-old Micheal Jordan Blunte-Dittmer of London is facing 19 charges including:
Two counts of making child pornography.
Making available child pornography.
Two counts of unlawful possession of child pornography.
Two counts of telecommunication with a person under or believed to be under 16 for specific criminal offences.
Sexual assault.
Secretly observing/recording a person for a sexual purpose.
Print/publish etc. a voyeuristic recording.
Transmitting child pornography.
Publishing an intimate image without consent.
Two counts of committing an indecent act in a public place.
Committing an indecent act with intent to insult or offend another.
Mischief/obstruction of property not exceeding $5,000.
Three counts of publishing/possessing obscene matter for distribution.
Blunte-Dittmer remains in police custody and was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to call the London Police Service at 519-661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
