The following material includes details about child sexual abuse and exploitation that could be upsetting or traumatizing to members of the public. Reader's judgement is advised.
On March 13, 2024, at approximately 10:15 am, the Manitoba RCMP Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) became aware of an X (formerly Twitter) account that had uploaded child sexual abuse and exploitation material.
Investigation by the Manitoba ICE Unit and the RCMP's National Child Exploitation Crime Centre (NCECC) quickly determined the identity and location of the individual posting the material. It was further determined that the female owner of the X account was also the one in the posted videos sexually abusing her infant. The RCMP will not be releasing the Manitoba community in which this happened to protect the identity of the victim.
Investigators with the ICE Unit contacted the local detachment, and by 12:05 pm on March 13, 2024, the local RCMP detachment had the 27-year-old female in custody and her infant safely with officers. There were no other children in the residence.
As the investigation progressed even further, it was learned that a male in the same community as the female was in possession of the created material as was an individual in the United States. Officers in the community immediately investigated the male in the same community and found he had been extorting the female, threatening to post the child sexual abuse and exploitation material she created publicly on social media. It was also found that he was in possession of child pornography.
The 31-year-old male was arrested and charged with Possess Child Pornography, Access Child Pornography, and Extorting without Firearm. He remains in custody.
The 27-year-old female was is charged with Sexual Assault, Incest, Possess Child Pornography, Access Child Pornography, and Print/Publish/Make Child Pornography. She remains in custody.
RCMP continue to work with our international law enforcement partners as to the other individual in possession of the material created by the accused from Manitoba.
The investigation continues.