Following a lengthy investigation conducted by the RCMP-RNC Integrated Internet Child Exploitation (IICE) Unit, 56-year-old Todd Byrne of Irishtown was arrested on August 22nd, 2024, and is charged with online child exploitation offences.
In December of 2023, IICE executed a search warrant at a Irishtown home in relation to reports of online child exploitation activity. Electronics were seized and subsequently analyzed.
The results of the forensic analysis, as well as other evidence collected, led to Byrne's arrest. He is charged with the following criminal offences:
- Possession of Child Pornography – nine counts
- Transmitting Child Pornography – one count
- Accessing Child Pornography – one count
In accordance with arrest and release procedures, Byrne was released on conditions designed to protect the general public. He is scheduled to appear in Provincial Court in Corner Brook on October 29, 2024.
Child pornography cases require complex forensic examination of seized electronics followed by additional investigation actions. Consequently, criminal charges in these cases are often laid up to 9-12 months after the execution of a search warrant.
The RCMP-RNC IICE team encourages caregivers and youth to learn about current online threats and safety practices at cybertip.ca, protectchildren.ca, kidsintheknow.ca and dontgetsextorted.ca.