In July 2023, Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) detectives assigned to the Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit began an investigation into multiple uploads of child pornography to Facebook and other social media platforms by the same user.
In October 2023, detectives applied for and received judicial authorization to execute a search warrant at a residential address in the City of Niagara Falls. As a result of the investigation one suspect has been arrested.
Richard STAPELLS (19 years) of Niagara Falls has been arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
• Possessing Child Pornography (2 counts)
• Making Child Pornography Available
• Accessing Child Pornography
STAPELLS has been held in custody pending a bail hearing scheduled to take place later today (October 20th, 2023) via video link to the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in the City of St. Catharines.
Online platforms that allow like-minded users to create and share Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) are prevalent on the Internet. Offenders who hide behind an anonymous account for the purpose of sexually exploiting children can be identified and will be held accountable for their actions. For more information on how parents and guardians can keep children safe online visit: https://cybertip.ca/en/
The Niagara Regional Police Service is a member of the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet and conducts investigations into Internet Child Exploitation Offences in partnership with Ontario Police Services and International Partners. This investigative initiative has been made possible by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.
Incident #23-81606