HEADINGLEY, Manitoba — A 36-year-old Manitoba man is facing multiple child exploitation-related charges after investigators alleged he communicated online with a child in Ohio through Snapchat.
According to the Winnipeg Police Service, the investigation began last month after the U.S.-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) alerted authorities that a local man was allegedly communicating with a minor in Ohio.
The Winnipeg Police Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit launched an investigation and identified the suspect as Joshua Michael Fodey, 36, of Headingley.
Police allege that Fodey engaged in ongoing online conversations with the child through Snapchat in April. As part of the investigation, officers executed a search warrant at his residence and seized multiple electronic devices.
Investigators said the devices allegedly contained child sexual abuse and exploitation material.
Fodey was arrested and charged with:
- Possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material.
- Making, printing, publishing, or possessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material for the purpose of publication.
- Three counts of transmitting, making available, distributing, or selling sexually explicit material to a person under 18 years old.
- Two counts of luring a person under the age of 18 by means of telecommunication.
Following his arrest, Fodey was released on an undertaking with several court-imposed conditions, including a prohibition on contacting anyone under the age of 18.
Police emphasized that the charges have not been proven in court and that the accused is presumed innocent unless found guilty.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities continue to examine the electronic devices seized during the search.
Winnipeg police encourage anyone with information related to child exploitation offences to contact law enforcement or report concerns through appropriate child protection reporting channels.
