THUNDER BAY — More victims have been identified in a cyber-crime investigation that led to 13 local men being charged with distributing intimate images without consent.
The accused all appeared in court on Monday afternoon, either in-person or with their lawyers acting as agent, to set a date for a pre-trial on June 16. Following that pre-trial, all 13 accused will return to court on June 30.
At least 120 victims have been identified.
In early February, the Thunder Bay Police Service charged 13 individuals with more than 170 offences relating to sharing intimate photos without consent, including images girls under the age of 18.
A total of 117 victims had been identified through the investigation at that point, which started in 2023, following reports that images of multiple Thunder Bay women had been shared though an online chat platform.
A lawyer representing the Crown noted the disclosure in the case is “substantial,” saying there is more than 1,300 pages of disclosure as well as hundreds of video statements.
The Crown also said the police’s cyber crime investigators had said of the 300 electronic devices seized in the investigation, about 50 were relevant to the investigation.
Joshua Wanakamik, 34, faces charges of accessing, distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material, as well as identity fraud and unauthorized use of a computer.
Aaron Stolz, 37, has been charged with distributing images without consent as well as being charged with accessing, distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material.
Darryl Renaud, 38, is facing charges of distributing images without consent, accessing, distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material. He's facing additional charges of luring and extortion.
Jonathon Prieston, 32, is facing charges for distributing images without consent.
Lindsey Hunt, 38, is charged with offences for distributing images without consent and accessing, distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material.
Tyler Bluoin, 28, is charged with distributing images without consent, along with accessing, distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material.
Ryan Madore, 38, is charged with distributing images without consent, along with possessing child sexual abuse material.
James Edgson, 36, has been charged with possessing child sexual abuse material, as well as distributing images without consent.
Sheldon Price, 30, is facing three counts of distributing images without consent.
Bradley Comuzzi, 37; Ian Warren, 37 and Jordi Leblanc, 31; are each facing one charge for distributing images without consent.
And Jordan Maurice, 31, has been charged with distributing intimate images without consent.
None of the allegations against any of the accused have been proven in court.
