York

Mississauga man charged in child luring investigation: police

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John Thompson, 55, was arrested and charges with multiple offences in relation to child luring. (York Regional Police.)

A Mississauga man is facing child luring charges after police allege he used multiple online aliases to arrange meetings with underage victims for sexual purposes.

In September of last year, York Regional Police say they began investigating the suspect after he allegedly used various online platforms to meet with youths he believed were under the age of 16.

Over a span of seven months, police say he operated under multiple usernames, including “Scanner,” “Competentist,” “James Thomas,” “JP T” and “Confessionator.”

In May, police in York Region were contacted by members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), who said they were investigating the same suspect for similar allegations and motives.

In June, police arrested John Thompson, 52, of Mississauga, and charged him with several offences, including two counts of making child sexual abuse and exploitation material, three counts of luring a person under 16 by means of telecommunication, making sexually explicit material available to a child under 18, and possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material.

Investigators believe there may be more victims, and anyone with information is asked to contact police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7078, or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.