Man who met 13-year-old girl online awaits sentencing

When police searched the cellphone of a Niagara Falls man suspected of sex-related offences, they discovered more than 200 graphic photos of a 13-year-old child, court heard Monday.

Mario Bozza appeared in Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines and pleaded guilty to several offences including making child pornography and sexual interference.

In April 2022, court heard, the defendant, then 39, began messaging a 13-year-old girl on a social media platform. The two chatted for about a month before they arranged to meet in person.

Court was told the man picked up the girl near her school and took her to a hotel. After their initial encounter, the defendant continued to communicate with the teen over social media and by phone.

In the messages, they “routinely conveyed affection for each other, with Mr. Bozza calling the complainant ‘my babe,’ ” said assistant Crown attorney Gordon Akilie.

He said the defendant met with the victim on at least 10 occasions. He would take her to hotels near her home and also drive her to Niagara Falls.

In September, the victim told her parents she was going to stay at a friend’s home but instead met up with the offender and he drove her to Niagara Falls.

When she returned home several days later, her parents checked her cellphone and found multiple communications between their daughter and an adult male. The parents contacted police and the defendant was arrested.

A search of his phone revealed 214 images of the teen that met the legal definition of child pornography. Explicit videos were also located.

Bozza was originally charged with abduction of a person under the age of 14 and four sex-related offences.

After his arrest, Niagara Regional Police issued a news release that included the man’s photo as detectives had reason to believe he had contacted other complainants through social media.

Sentencing will be held in May.

A search of the accused’s phone revealed 214 images of the teen that met the legal definition of child pornography