NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
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Detectives from the Niagara Regional Police Service Internet Child Exploitation Unit and Technological Crimes Unit have continued to investigate allegations of the possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) by a 49-year-old Welland man.
The ongoing investigation has found evidence to support further charges. On Oct. 25, 2024, Patrick “Pat” F. Paone was re-arrested by detectives in the City of Niagara Falls. Paone was released from bail court following his original Oct. 15, 2024 arrest.
Paone is now facing the addition Criminal Code offences of:
- Possession of child pornography
- Accessing child pornography
- Making child pornography available
- Making written child pornography
Paone was held in custody for a video bail hearing to the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines on Oct. 25, 2024. None of the charges have been tested in court.
Online platforms that allow like-minded users to engage with minors, create, share and store CSAM are prevalent on the Internet. Offenders who use the internet to consume and create CSAM behind an anonymous account will be identified and held accountable for their actions.
During this investigation Patrick F. Paone is believed to have used the names of “Peter Parker” and “Pete Pocket” while engaged in this illegal activity. Police are releasing this information to the public to garner assistance with this ongoing investigation if they have any further information.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009172.
For more information on how parents and guardians can keep children safe online click here.
The Niagara Regional Police Service is a member of the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet and conducts investigations into Internet Child Exploitation Offences in partnership with Ontario Police Services and International Partners. This investigative initiative has been made possible by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
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