Child pornography, sex assault charges laid against 18-year-old Winnipegger
2 people, ages 13 and 14, came forward to police; investigators believe there could be more victims
An 18-year-old Winnipegger is charged with multiple sex-related and child pornography offences after allegedly using the messaging app Snapchat to target kids for a sexual purpose.
Bradley Schroeder was arrested Thursday by the RCMP's internet child exploitation (ICE) unit.
He has been charged with two counts of luring a child, two counts of sexual assault and two counts of sexual interference, as well as possession of child pornography.
Sexual interference charges are laid when somebody has physical, sexual contact with a child under the age of 16.
Police say the offences occurred between April and July 2021.
An investigator in the RCMP ICE unit says two people, age 13 and 14, came forward to police.
They told police they had been communicating with the accused on Snapchat, where he convinced them to meet in person, said Const. Gord Olson.
"Social media in general is where these meetings are taking place, and then in this instance, unfortunately, they met in person and the sexual assaults occurred," he said.
Investigators believe there could be more victims and encourage anyone with information to contact their local police.
On Friday, police released Schroeder's Snapchat username — notelectric — and avatar, saying they hope that information might help find other victims.
In general with these types of crimes, if there are one or two victims there are often others, Olson said, so RCMP put out a release in hopes others will come forward.
Schroeder has been released from custody and is set to appear in court on Feb. 3.
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