Man arrested in La Tuque on allegations of luring

Tashi Farmilo

A 63-year-old man from La Tuque has been arrested in connection with alleged luring and incitement to sexual contact, according to the Sûreté du Québec. The arrest, which took place on December 4, followed an investigation into reports of suspicious behaviour, culminating in a court appearance at the La Tuque courthouse on the same day.

Authorities allege that the accused knowingly communicated with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old adolescent, with the intent of facilitating an act of sexual abuse. A search of the man’s residence resulted in the seizure of electronic equipment, which is now being analysed as part of the ongoing investigation.

This arrest aligns with the province’s intensified efforts to combat the sexual exploitation and abuse of children online. Since 2012, the Sûreté du Québec has implemented a Provincial Strategy Against the Sexual Exploitation of Children Online. The initiative relies on specialised investigative teams to address such crimes, focusing on identifying perpetrators, dismantling abusive networks, and aiding survivors.

The strategy is supported by partnerships with municipal police forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and organisations such as Cyberaide and the National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre. In 2021, the formation of the Équipe intégrée de lutte contre la pornographie juvénile (EILPJ) strengthened efforts to address the production and dissemination of exploitative materials. This team unites members of the Sûreté du Québec with police forces in Montreal, Quebec City, Longueuil, Laval, and Gatineau.

Despite these efforts, recent statistics highlight the persistence of such crimes. Between April 2023 and March 2024, the Division of Internet Child Exploitation recorded a 7 per cent increase in reports compared to the previous year. During this period, investigators opened 677 cases, identified 14 survivors of abuse, and laid charges in 247 investigations.

The Sûreté du Québec continues to urge vigilance and public participation in the fight against the sexual exploitation of minors. Anyone with information about the accused or his actions is encouraged to contact their Criminal Information Centre at 1-800-659-4264. Reports of online sexual exploitation of minors can also be made to Cyberaide at www.cyberaide.ca.