Police recruit charged with making, distributing child porn
Underage victims say they were sexually assaulted
A Durham Regional Police recruit allegedly impersonated an officer to “gain the trust” of underage victims who he is charged with taking to a bar, purchasing alcohol for, then sexually assaulting, Toronto police say.
The recruit — who was attending training at the Ontario Police College at the time of his arrest, and has since resigned from the Durham police force — is also alleged to have filmed one of his victims without their knowledge.
William Knight, 31, was arrested by members of the Toronto Police internet Child Exploitation unit last week. He faces 11 charges, including three counts of sexual assault, three counts of sexual interference, and one count each of making, possessing and accessing child pornography, according to court documents. He is also charged with one count of falsely representing himself to be a police officer. The charges have not been proven in court.
“The accused misrepresented himself as a police officer to gain the trust of his victims. He met with his victims in person and took them to a bar knowing they were not of legal drinking age,” Toronto police said. “He purchased alcoholic beverages for the victims to consume and then sexually assaulted them,” police allege, adding that he “filmed a victim without their knowledge.”
A Durham Regional Police Service spokesperson confirmed to the Star Thursday that the “individual in question was a DRPS Constable in Training at the Ontario Police College and was not yet a sworn officer.”
“He has since resigned and is no longer employed by the Durham Regional Police Service,” the spokesperson said.
Toronto police allege Knight used the video chat app OME TV, Snapchat and other social media to “communicate with his victims.”
Police say they are concerned there are more victims, and requesting the public to notify Toronto Police Service if they have any information.
Knight appeared in court earlier this month.