A Toronto man has pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court to exploiting more than 100 children online. Prosecutors say he faces a possible life sentence for years-long abuse involving American victims.
Online Abuse Spanned Years and Crossed International Borders
A Toronto man has pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court to sexually exploiting more than 100 children, marking one of the most disturbing online child exploitation cases involving a Canadian offender in recent years.
U.S. prosecutors say the crimes were committed over several years and involved children living across multiple American states. The victims were targeted online, often believing they were communicating with someone their own age.
How the Exploitation Happened
According to court records, the man used fake online identities to gain the trust of children through social media and video platforms. Once contact was established, he pressured victims into performing explicit acts during private video chats.
Investigators say the abuse did not stop there. In several cases, the man recorded the videos and later used them as leverage, threatening to share the content if victims refused to comply with further demands.
Authorities confirmed the victims ranged in age from early adolescence to the late teenage years, with more than 100 children identified during the investigation.
Previous Conviction in Canada
Before facing charges in the United States, the man had already been convicted in Canada for similar offences. He received a significant prison sentence for those crimes, but U.S. authorities continued pursuing their own case due to the large number of American victims involved.
Following legal proceedings, he was transferred to the United States to face federal charges tied to the online exploitation of minors.
Potential Life Sentence Ahead
By pleading guilty, the Toronto man has accepted responsibility for multiple serious offences, including the sexual exploitation of children and coercion of minors.
U.S. prosecutors say he now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of decades in prison, with the possibility of life imprisonment when sentencing takes place later this year.
Officials described the plea as a critical step toward justice for victims, many of whom are still dealing with long-term emotional and psychological harm.
A Reminder of the Risks Online
Law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border say the case highlights how predators use anonymity and deception online to reach children, often across countries and jurisdictions.
Authorities continue to urge parents and guardians to speak openly with children about online safety and report suspicious activity immediately.
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