Niagara police charge Toronto man with additional child sexual abuse counts

Niagara police have laid three additional charges against a Toronto man accused of using online platforms for the sexual exploitation of children.

Officers say they have charged 50-year-old Joseph Mortillaro with:

• Possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material;
• Making child sexual abuse and exploitation material available and;
• Making written child sexual abuse and exploitation material.

These charges have been added to:

• Two counts of luring a child via telecommunications to facilitate sexual interference and;
• Harassing communications.

Detectives add that Mortillaro may also be known under the alias “micjoseph.”

READ MORE: Niagara police charge Toronto man in internet child luring probe

The initial release shared by Niagara police said that the accused may also be known as “DadOfTwo,” or “Mike.”

Investigators say these aliases were used on online platforms to commit offences against children.

Authorities say the additional information of the alleged offences came from a forensic extraction of the devices seized.

Mortillaro continues to be held in custody ahead of his court hearing on Tuesday.

Police warn offenders who attempt to lure children behind anonymous accounts on different platforms can be identified and will be held accountable for their actions.

For more information on how parents and guardians can keep children safe online can be found here.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara by calling 1-800-222-8477.

READ MORE: Niagara police arrest man following assault investigation in St. Catharines