Niagara police charge suspect after investigation into child sexual abuse material

The Niagara Regional Police Service detachment in 1 District located in St. Catharines, Ont., is shown on Friday, March 15, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Lynett

Niagara Regional Police have laid charges against a suspect following a child sexual abuse investigation.

In a news release Friday, the force said its Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit launched an investigation into allegations of sexual assault against a young person on May 9.

“Detectives discovered that the suspect befriended teenage victims and offered to provide vape pens or marijuana in exchange for sexual services,” Niagara police said in a news release. `

Police said they arrested a suspect on May 14 who is known to operate across several jurisdictions, including Niagara, Hamilton, and Waterloo.

Investigators said Friday that 22-year-old Tywante Adrian Jakwon Davidson-Baptiste of Hamilton has been charged with making sexually explicit material available to a child, making child sexual abuse and exploitation material, making child sexual abuse and exploitation material available, and failing to comply with a release order.

He was scheduled to make a court appearance for a bail hearing on May 15.

Investigators said they believe there may be more victims and are asking anyone with further information to contact Niagara police or to call Crime Stoppers anonymously.