On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, detectives from the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit and the Child Abuse Unit (CAU), commenced an investigation into the online luring of a minor. Through the course of the investigation, the suspect is alleged to have knowingly engaged in communications for a sexual purpose with a young person under the age of 14.
On Friday, August 22, 2025, detectives from the NRPS ICE Unit arrested 49-year-old Steven Albert VENDITELLO of Lincoln for the following Criminal Code offences:
Luring a Child via Telecommunication to Facilitate Sexual Interference
VENDITELLO is currently being held in custody pending a bail hearing on Saturday, August 23, 2025, via video link to the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in St. Catharines.
Online platforms that allow like-minded users to engage with minors, create, share, and store Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) are prevalent on the Internet. Offenders who attempt to lure children behind anonymous accounts on different platforms can be identified and will be held accountable for their actions.
For more information on how parents and guardians can keep children safe online CLICK HERE
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 #25-93859