N.L. police investigate alleged child porn and prostitution operation. Canadian Press
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
ST. JOHN'S, N.L. (CP) - An investigation into a porn and prostitution ring that allegedly involved 40 young girls in Newfoundland has prompted the police chief in St. John's to suggest that the province has lost its innocence.
Richard Deering, chief of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, confirmed Wednesday that a team of 10 officers is completing interviews with the young victims, several search warrants have been executed and arrests are expected within days.
"It involves allegations that young people in our community were being put in a situation that involved sexual exploitation or other crimes of a sexual nature," Deering said in an interview. "I don't think it will be a lot of time between now and when arrests are made."
He said police are seeking expert advice on what charges can be laid, and how to gain access to seized computers.
"We read about it in other places and think how dreadful it is, but when it hits our community to the magnitude we think we've come across here, it's really appalling to us," Deering said.
"Clearly we've lost our innocence in relation to incidents of this type."
Deering also said if the investigation determines pornographic images have been distributed on the Internet, the probe will extend beyond the province.
The chief said key suspects have been identified and there is no risk to other young people.
However, he said the police investigation has yet to be completed.
"We want to make sure we do the investigation properly and we don't leave a stone unturned."
© The Canadian Press 2006 [HT], [SS]
 sexual slavery, pornography, child pornography, prostitution, fleshploitation |
