Port Colborne man arrested following child luring investigation

Niagara police have arrested a 45-year-old suspect in connection with a months-long investigation into the luring of minors online.

Detectives say they were assigned in April to investigate Internet child exploitation in the region.

Officers say Bryan Leslie Pringle is alleged to have communicated for a sexual purpose with persons under the age of 16 using the Snapchat username “model_agency25”.

Detectives have identified additional Snapchat accounts used by Bryan Pringle to include:

“rubkids699”; “kidmodel457”;“kidsyum699”; “janesfriend6999”; “shhssksskskj”;“miagoldberg699” and hotkids69455”.

If anyone has had any contact or information regarding these accounts, please contact members of the ICE Unit or call 905-688-4111, ext 1009172.

Pringle remains in custody and is scheduled to attend a bail hearing on Dec. 4 in St. Catharines.

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.

Suspects 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 CLICK HERE. 

READ MORE: OPP searching for repeat offender who may be in Milton