International child exploitation investigation leads to charges of suspect in Winnipeg: R24-6018

Released: October 9, 2026 at 1:55 p.m.

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A Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) ICE investigation has resulted in numerous charges against a 50-year-old Winnipeg man for creation and distribution of child sexual abuse and exploitation material (CSAEM) involving children in the Philippines.

In January 2025, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) notified the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) National Child Exploitation Crime Centre (NCECC) Transnational Child Sex Offender Unit (TCSO) of an ongoing international investigation involving a Canadian suspect using an online alias. It was ultimately determined that the suspect was residing in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and the Winnipeg Police Service Internet Child Exploitation Unit assumed the investigation.

Investigators believe the offences to have taken place between December 2017 and July 2023 and involve online communications between the suspect in Winnipeg and two individuals in the Philippines who had several young children in their care ranging from pre-school to school age. It is believed that the communications involved creation of CSAEM by the two individuals in the Philippines in exchange for money and that the suspect also transmitted CSAEM to the individuals.

Between March 2023 and July 2023, it is believed that the suspect demanded additional CSAEM and threatened to distribute previously obtained material to the individuals’ family and friends through social media if they did not comply.

Investigators further learned that the suspect distributed CSAEM to social media platforms in the United States. The incidents were reported to the NCECC and later referred to the Winnipeg Police Service.

Investigators identified Christopher Steven HOSKINS (50) as the individual operating the online account.

On October 1, 2026, WPS ICE investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in the south area of Winnipeg. HOSKINS was taken into custody, and several electronic devices were seized.

HOSKINS has been charged with:

  • Imports, Distributes, Sells or Possess for the Purpose of Distribution or Sale any Child Pornography for the purpose of distribution
  • Imports, Distributes, Sells or Possess for the Purpose of Distribution or Sale any Child Pornography for the purpose of transmitting
  • Agreement to Commit a Sexual Offence Against a Person Under 18 yrs of age
  • Agreement to Commit a Sexual Offence Against a Person Under 16 yrs of age
  • Counsel a Person to Commit Sexual Interference
  • Counsel a Person to commit Invitation to Sexual Touching
  • Access any Child Pornography
  • Makes, Prints, Publishes or Possess for the Purpose of Publication any Child Pornography
  • Extortion
  • Possession of Child Pornography
  • Possession of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material

HOSKINS was released on a Crown consent court order prohibiting contact with individuals under 18, as mandated by Sec 161 of the Criminal Code.

The Winnipeg Police Service is committed to providing support to survivors of sexual assault. Resources include WPS Victim Services at 204-986-6350 and the Klinic Sexual Assault Crisis Line at 204-786-8631.

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