A Thunder Bay man accused of distributing child pornography, and suspected of attempting to destroy evidence linked to the investigation, was arrested and charged Thursday.
On Sept. 23, 2020 Investigators with the Thunder Bay Police Service’s Cyber Crimes Unit became aware of a local Internet user sharing suspected child pornography files. Further investigation determined the files being shared by the local user were consistent with child pornography.
As a result of their ongoing investigation, officers identified the residential address of the Internet user.
A warrant for a home in the 100 block of Finlayson Street was obtained and executed, with assistance from members of the TBPS’s Community Oriented Response (COR) Unit, on Thursday, Oct. 1.
Further investigation identified a suspect, who was later located and arrested by members of the TBPS’s Break and Enter and Robbery (BEAR) Unit.
During the arrest the accused attempted to destroy a device that was suspected of containing child pornography.
Steven Edward SIEMIENIUK, 40, of Thunder Bay, is charged with Distributing Child Pornography, and Obstruct Peace Officer.
The investigation remains ongoing.
SIEMIENIUK appeared in bail court on Friday, Oct. 2 and was released with a future appearance date.