Canadian faces court for online exploitation of Filipino children

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Philip Michael Chicoine is accused of making and distributing child pornography, child luring and agreeing to commit a sexual offence against a child

A Canadian man is facing 19 child pornography charges relating to online activity with youngsters in the Philippines and Romania.

Philip Michael Chicoine, aged 27 and from Saskatoon, is accused of making, accessing, possessing and distributing child pornography, child luring, making child porn available and agreeing to commit a sexual offence against a child.

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The Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation Unit said that the investigation into Chicoine began in February after child pornography was uploaded to a social media account he operated.

Police believe he arranged video access and facilitated live-streamed child pornography with help of female accomplices in the Philippines and Romania.

Suspects in Romania have been arrested and charged, and authorities in the country have confirmed that the children involved are safe. However, in the Philippines the police have been unable to make any progress with their investigations.

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Chicoine was arrested on Thursday after investigators searched his house in Saskatoon and found evidence of his alleged crimes committed between July 2014 and March 2017.

Members of Chicoine’s family were in court for his first appearance on Friday (March 10). He will return to court on Monday for a bail hearing.

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