Arrest made in St. Catharines online child luring and pornography investigation

A St. Catharines man has been arrested in an online child luring and pornography investigation.

The initial investigation found that a third-party group using online decoy tactics had identified what they believed to be a child predator. The group confronted the individual at his residence before contacting police to turn over their evidence.

Detectives with the NRPS Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit took over the investigation which led them to a St. Catharines address on Aug. 9.

On Aug. 13, 49-year-old Darren R. Fox — who used an online alias of ‘Brett Donovan’ — was charged with the following:

• Luring a Child via Telecommunication to Facilitate Sexual Interference
• Luring a Child via Telecommunication to Facilitate Invitation to Sexual Touching
• Making Sexually Explicit Material Available to a Child
• Making Child Pornography (written and audio recording).

Fox remains in custody and is scheduled to attend a bail hearing today at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines.

Detectives have reason to believe there are other victims. Anyone with information is asked to contact 905-688-4111, dial option 3, ext. 1009128.

Anonymous tips can be submitted online to Crime Stoppers of Niagara or by calling 1-800-222-8477.

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