Police have arrested and charged a local man following an investigation into allegations of child luring.
Officers with the Thunder Bay Police Service’s Cyber Crimes Unit began an investigation in March of 2020 after receiving complaints of a suspected local Internet user’s online dialogue with a child under the age of 16.
An ongoing investigation identified a 24-year-old Thunder Bay man as a suspect. The investigation also found the dialogue with the victim was consistent with luring a child.
On Wednesday, May 6, police executed a search warrant at a residential address in the 300-block of Beverly Street. That morning, police also arrested their identified suspect on a charge of Luring a child under the age of 16 years for the purpose of invitation to sexual touching.
An electronic device was seized during the search as the investigation continues.
Vincent VARNEY, 24, of Thunder Bay, is charged with Luring a Child Under 16 by Means of Telecommunication.
He appeared in bail court on Thursday, May 7 and was released with conditions and a future appearance date.