A Kingston nan was accused of human trafficking and child pornography and now faces 76 Offences related to major sex crimes.
Michael Mark Haaima, 38 years old, was arrested in April. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Kingston Police announced the charges against Haaima on Monday.
According to court documents, the police identified a total of 18 victims, with two being underage at that time.
The 38-year-old's bail was denied in early May. On Tuesday, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice confirmed that Haaima has applied for a bail review.
Haaima made his provincial court first appearance on Tuesday since the charges were announced. He also appeared via video link from Quinte Detention Centre in Napanee, Ont., where he wore an orange jumpsuit and medical mask and kept his arms crossed behind his back while addressing the justice of the peace, H.W. Chiang, as "sir," per CBC News.
Haaima's next provincial court appearance is scheduled for July 19.
Sexually assaulted underage victims
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) dubbed the investigation "Project Shamrock," which began in January when Kingston Police were made aware of circulating allegations that a 38-year-old man was luring victims through social media.
Kingston police, Ottawa police, Peterborough Police, and the OPP coordinated the investigation.
According to the police, the victims involved are now safe. Additional victims were later identified, and more charges were laid.
According to CTV News Ottawa, the accused remains in custody.
Keep away from children
Antje McNeely, Kingston Police Chief, said that the success of the Project Shamrock investigation is an important message that the Police Community must continue being committed to investigating and holding those predators or those who commit predatory crimes accountable.
Police believe there are still victims in the community who are afraid to speak up; thus, they are urging these people to come forward. Anyone with additional information can contact the OPP non-emergency number at 1-888-310-1122, Kingston Police, or the local police.
If you or someone you know may be a victim of these crimes, call 911 as soon as possible.
According to BBC News, 1- to 2 percent of men are pedophiles. Some are preying on children, which is dangerous, while others don't act on their feelings. There are usually female pedophiles, but the vast majority are men.
Experts admit that women commit a fraction of child sexual abuse, but so much is hidden that it is difficult to be accurate. An influential study in the U.S. in the 1980s showed only 20 percent of offenses against boys while 5 percent were against girls.
A study by Professor Tamara Turner-Moore at Leeds Beckett University revealed that up to 10 percent of men have sexual thoughts about children at some stage in their lives.
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