Sexual Exploitation / Child Sexual Abuse Imagery – Arrest: R22-629

Released: May 18, 2022 at 8 a.m.

Information contained in our media releases may relate to issues of violence or trauma, which could be distressing for some individuals. Be mindful of your well-being and consider whether or not engaging with this content is appropriate for you.

In December 2021, the Winnipeg Police Service’s Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) was alerted to child sexual abuse imagery uploaded to social media involving a residence within the city.

ICE began an investigation and identified a 69-year-old male suspect, Kenneth Scott COFFEY of Winnipeg.

On February 23, officers executed a search warrant at a residence in the 1600 block of Pritchard Avenue. COFFEY was arrested for accessing and possessing child pornographyand charged with Child Pornography. Two cellular phone devices were seized as evidence.

Investigators determined that between August 2019 and February 2022, COFFEY accessed, possessed, made, and distributed Child Sexual Abuse Imagery and communicated with children under the age of 18 for the purpose of luring. He also sent the four yet to be identified victims, sexually explicit materials. With the assistance of the Technological Crimes Section, a seizure and forensic analysis of the devices released more than 120 photos and videos of child sexual abuse imagery.

On May 12, 2022, COFFEY was located at his residence and charged with the following additional offences:

- Makes, Prints, Publishes, or Possess for the Purpose any Child Pornography
- Possession of Child Pornography
- Accessing any Child Pornography
- Luring a Person Under 18 years of age by Means of Telecommunication x 4
- Transmit, Make Available, Distribute or Sell Sexually Explicit Material to a Person Under 18 years of age x 3
- Imports, Distributes, Sells, or Possess for the Purpose of Distribution or Sale any Child Pornography

COFFEY was released on an Appearance Notice as mandated by the Criminal Code.

The ICE Unit continues with this investigation. Anyone with information wishing to speak to investigators can call investigators at 204-986-6172 or the Child Abuse Unit at 204-986-3296.

The Winnipeg Police Service is committed to protecting youth and those at risk of sexual exploitation. The public is encouraged to report any child sexual abuse imagery (child pornography). Call the non-emergency line 204-986-6222, Crime Stoppers 204-786-TIPS (8477), or make a report online at: https://www.cybertip.ca

Was this information helpful?

How can we make this web page better?

Information collected will be used to improve our website. Do not use this form to submit a request for service or information because it will not be forwarded to departments for response. To submit a request for service or information, contact 311.

This form is not intended to collect personal information; however, any personal information you choose to include in your comments is collected by the City of Winnipeg under the authority of section 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the purpose of improving our website and will not be used or disclosed for any other purposes, except as authorized by law. Contact the Corporate Access and Privacy Officer by mail (City Clerk’s Department, Susan A. Thompson Building, 510 Main Street, Winnipeg MB, R3B 1B9) or by telephone (311) if you have any questions about the collection of this information.