Niagara police charge Toronto man in internet child luring probe

Niagara police have arrested and charged a 50-year-old Toronto man accused of luring children through the internet.

Officers began the proactive undercover investigation in March 2025 into a man who used the internet to connect and meet with children for a sexual purpose.

On Feb. 24, detectives arrested Joseph Michael Mortillaro of Toronto for the following offences:

• Luring a Child via Telecommunication to Facilitate Sexual Interference (two counts);
• Harassing Communications.

The Niagara Regional Police Service Internet Child Exploitation Unit and Peel Regional Police Service Internet Child Exploitation Unit said they initiated their joint investigation earlier this month.

Mortillaro is in custody and scheduled to attend a bail hearing today.

Detectives believe that Mortillaro went by the usernames “DadOfTwo” and “Mike” on online platforms to commit offences against children.

Online platforms that allow like-minded users to engage with minors, create, share and store Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) are prevalent on the internet.

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.

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