In February 2019, an adult male residing in Winnipeg uploaded eight videos containing child pornography. The videos consisted of young girls between the ages of five and eleven. In September 2019, the male uploaded and shared these videos on the Internet via a social media app.
Social media administrators became aware of the images and reported them to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in the United States. The internet protocol address was traced to a residence in Winnipeg. NCMEC forwarded the information to the RCMP National Child Exploitation and Crime Centre in Ottawa.
As a result, members of the Winnipeg Police Internet Child Exploitation Unit were notified and entered into an investigation.
On November 7, 2019, members of the Internet Child Exploitation Unit, Technical Crimes Unit and Tactical Support Team, executed a search warrant at a residence in the Norwood West area of Winnipeg. Electronic devices were seized for analysis. The devices were found to contain various images and videos of child pornography.
On December 11, 2019, John Edward Machowski, a 32-year-old male, was arrested. He has been charged with:
- Possession of Child Pornography
- Imports, Distributes, Sells or Possess for the Purpose of Distribution or Sale any Child Pornography
He has been released from custody on a Recognizance.
Information or tips regarding the online sexual exploitation of children can be made at https://www.cybertip.ca/.