NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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In November of 2023, Niagara Regional Police Service Detectives assigned to the Internet Child Exploitation Unit began an undercover investigation into the luring of minors using the Internet. In February of 2024, the Niagara Regional Police Service Internet Child Exploitation Unit and the Ontario Provincial Police Child Sexual Exploitation Unit commenced a joint investigation into a suspect residing in Niagara Falls.
On Feb. 26, 2024, Detectives from Niagara Regional Police service Internet Child Exploitation Unit and Technological Crime unit executed a search warrant at a private residence in Niagara Falls and seized numerous devices capable of storing electronic data. Gil Manuel Massa, 60 years of age, was arrested and is now facing the following charges:
• one count of luring a child via telecommunication to facilitate sexual interference
• three counts of exposure to a person under 16 years of age
Gil Manuel Massa was held in custody after his arrest and is set to appear for a bail hearing on Feb. 27, 2024, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse located at 59 Church St. in the City of St. Catharines.
Online platforms that allow like-minded users to engage with minors, create, share and store child sexual abuse material (CSAM) are prevalent on the Internet. Offenders who attempt to lure children behind an anonymous accounts on different platforms can be identified and will be held accountable for their actions.
For more information on how parents and guardians can keep children safe online CLICK HERE
The Niagara Regional Police Service is a member of the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet and conducts investigations into Internet Child Exploitation Offences in partnership with Ontario Police Services and International Partners. This investigative initiative has been made possible by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.
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