Cardiologist faces three child porn charges

A medical doctor specializing in cardiology is the latest person in the region to be charged with child pornography offences.

Dr. Ashim Verma, 34, was arrested on Thursday after LaSalle police and OPP executed a search warrant at his residence in LaSalle.

Police said numerous computer devices were seized from the residence.

According to LaSalle police, the search and seizure were the result of a seven-month online investigation by the OPP’s child sexual exploitation unit and digital forensics unit.

Verma has been charged with two counts of possessing child pornography and one count of making child pornography available. Since his arrest, Verma has been released on bail.

Police said their investigation is continuing.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario lists Verma as a member of the Windsor Heart Institute with specializations in cardiology and internal medicine. Verma had privileges at Windsor Regional Hospital, but the hospital issued a statement on Friday announcing that he will not be exercising those privileges while WRH “obtains additional information regarding the situation.”

“In the interim, we will respect the criminal process and also Dr. Verma’s confidentiality,” the hospital stated.

“We will not be issuing any further public communication regarding this matter.” Verma joined the hospital’s medical staff in October 2017, holding the titles of interventional cardiologist and clinical cardiology consultant.

The hospital noted that — as with all staff — Verma was required to obtain a criminal record check and a certificate of professional conduct before he was granted privileges.

Verma earned his medical doctorate at the University of British Columbia and underwent postgraduate training at the University of Calgary and the University ofOttawa.

He began independent practice as a physician in July 2017. Verma is the fourth person in the Windsor-Essex region to be arrested on child pornography charges in the past month.