Police charge Fort Erie man following child porn investigation

A 54-year-old man from Fort Erie has been arrested and charged in connection with a year long child pornography investigation in Niagara.

Niagara police initiated an investigation in June 2022 into the online sexual exploitation of children.

In March of this year, detectives carried out a search warrant at a Fort Erie address and seized several electronic devices.

The suspect was identified on May 15 as 54-year-old Eric Michael Hagen, but police were not able to locate him and an arrest warrant was issued.

READ MORE: Police charge Niagara Falls man with multiple child porn offences

The suspect was added to Niagara’s Wanted List on May 24 and police received a tip just six days later that led them to Hagen’s location. Detectives carried out a search warrant at an address in the eastside of Fort Erie and found him inside.

Police say Hagen initially resisted his arrest before officers were able to take him into custody.

He has been charged with two counts of possessing child pornography, one count of accessing child pornography and one count of resisting arrest.

READ MORE: NOTL man faces child pornography charges: Niagara police

Another 54-year-old man from Fort Erie was found inside the home with Hagen and detectives believe the man was aiding in Hagen’s effort to avoid arrest.

Mark Edward Latondress has been charged with accessory after the fact to commit an indictable offense.

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has invoked their mandate as a result of the interaction between police and Hagen at the time of his arrest.

Anyone who may have additional information about this investigation is asked to contact the lead detective at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. #1009172.