COOPERATION between the Surrey RCMP and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has led to the arrest of an American man who is accused of luring a child in Surrey.
On November 18, 35-year-old Kevin McCarty from Oregon was arrested in California by Homeland Security Investigations agents (HSI) after a joint investigation that originated in Surrey.
In September, McCarty, who used an alias, allegedly contacted and communicated with a 14-year-old Surrey youth on social media. He then allegedly groomed the youth for a sexual purpose, and coerced them to create and distribute self-exploitive sexual material.
The Surrey Frontline, Digital Forensic Triage Services and Internet Child Exploitation units worked with the victim and their family to gather evidence. Investigators determined that the suspect was American, and engaged with HSI.
As the investigation progressed, HSI agents identified additional victims, and identified McCarty as the suspect. They acted immediately, effecting an arrest.
McCarty is now facing charges in the United States. The criminal complaint in Oregon has laid charges of sexual exploitation of children, distribution of child pornography, cyberstalking, online enticement of a minor, and transferring obscene material to a minor. (A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.)
“One of the most important outcomes is that the images and videos shared in this investigation are now part of Project Arachnid,” said Cpl. Danielle Pollock of the Surrey RCMP Internet Child Exploitation Unit. “Project Arachnid helps break the cycle of the distribution of these images. This can help address victims’ fears that someone they know may come across their image on the internet.”
Operated by the Canadian Centre, Project Arachnid is an innovative tool to combat the growing proliferation of child sexual abuse material on the internet. For more information, visit the Project Arachnid website.
Surrey RCMP advise that it is always important to monitor your child’s online activity. They provide Internet Safety Tips for Parents on their website.
