NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
In March 2015, members of the RCMP at the National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre (NCECC) in Ottawa commenced an investigation into identifying a victim of child sexual abuse from a collection of graphic images seized by police.
The OPP Child Sexual Exploitation Unit was contacted to assist with identifying this victim that was believed to be in Ontario.
Upon further investigation, members of the OPP Child Sexual Exploitation Unit and the OPP Muskoka Crime Unit identified the victim in southern Ontario.
On June 9, 2015 members of the Barrie Police Service, OPP Child Sexual Exploitation Unit and OPP Technical Crime Unit executed a search warrant at a Barrie residence.
During the search, police located and seized one laptop computer and other devices pertinent to the investigation.
Two additional victims of child sexual abuse were also identified during this investigation.
On June 9, 2015, police arrested and charged James Sarsfield, age 34 years, of Barrie Ontario with the following offences:
- Sexual Assault on a Person Under Sixteen - Three Counts
- Sexual Interference with a Person Under Sixteen – Three Counts
- Sexual Exploitation – Three Counts
- Making Child Pornography – One Count
- Distributing Child Pornography – One Count
- Possession of Child Pornography – One Count
The accused was held in custody following a bail hearing on June 10, 2015.
He is scheduled to appear on June 16, 2015 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge Ontario.
Police are asking the public to contact the O.P.P. Child Sexual Exploitation Unit at 705.330.3240 if they have any further information in regards to this matter.
The investigation is continuing.
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