International Partnerships Results with Charges Laid in Internet Child Sexual Exploitation Investigation

OPP Seeking Other Victims

ST. THOMAS, ON, Jan. 31, 2012 /CNW/ - Members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Child Sexual Exploitation Unit, Elgin County OPP Detachment, Toronto Police Service, Colorado Springs Police Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have arrested and charged a St. Thomas area man following an Internet child sexual exploitation investigation.

The investigation began after information was received from United States authorities that the homeowner was communicating via the Internet with an individual in Colorado for the purposes of facilitating sexual offences against children.  The investigation also revealed that the accused was sexually abusing children in Ontario.

On January 25, 2012 the OPP executed a search warrant at a residence in Southwold Township, located just West of St. Thomas Ontario, and seized computers and external media devices.

Jason Leonard SAWYER, 31 years old of Southwold Township, was arrested and charged with three counts each of Sexual Assault and Sexual Interference, one count of Counseling to Commit Sexual Assault and one count each of Making, Possession and Accessing Child Pornography. The accused is being held in custody awaiting a bail hearing on January 31, 2012 in the Ontario Court of Justice in St. Thomas, Ontario.

The OPP is advising the public that the accused was at one time a self-employed photographer of young female models and weddings under the business name of "Jay Sawyer Photography".

Police are asking anyone with additional information regarding this investigation to call the OPP Child Sexual Exploitation Unit at 705-330-3240.

The investigation is continuing.

Contact:	OPP Detective Sergeant Terry Paddon Child Sexual Exploitation Unit
Phone:	[phone]

 www.opp.ca 

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