Charges filed in online child sex exploitation case

A 35-year-old city man has been arrested for online child sexual exploitation offences that police say were committed against a girl in Winnipeg.

Oscar Cubides Palacio allegedly exploited the girl using the Snapchat social media platform.

Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team partnered with Winnipeg police on the investigation.

Police say the offences date back to March 2023 when the two met online and the accused perpetrator coerced the girl into providing sexually explicit materials despite knowing she was a youth.

The offences were reported to Winnipeg police last July. They launched the inter-provincial investigation to identify the suspect and make an arrest.

““Winnipeg Police Service is seeing an increase in the number of sextortion related incidents. By partnering with other law enforcement across Canada we can continue to build strong partnerships and achieve successful outcomes,” said Sgt. Andrea Scott of WPS in a press release.

The same way the internet is connected globally, we have a strong network of law enforcement professionals that share intelligence and work cohesively to hold online offenders accountable. The internet isn’t anonymous,” said Const. Anthony Tupper, ALERT Internet Child Exploitation Unit.

Palacio, who was released from custody on courtimposed conditions until his next scheduled court appearance on Feb. 8, is facing several charges.

They include child luring, invitation to sexual touching, making child pornography, possession of child pornography, accessing child pornography and making sexually explicit materials available to a minor.