Child pornography, sex assault charges laid against 18-year-old Winnipegger

An 18-year-old Winnipegger is charged with multiple sex-related and child pornography offences after allegedly using themessaging app Snapchat to target kids for a sexual purpose.

Bradley Schroeder was arrested Thursdayby the RCMP's internet child exploitation (ICE) unit.

He has been charged with two counts of luring a child, two counts of sexual assault andtwo counts of sexual interference, as well as possession of child pornography.

Sexual interferencecharges arelaid when somebody has physical, sexual contact with a childundertheageof 16.

Police say theoffences occurred between April and July 2021.

An investigator in the RCMP ICE unit says two people, age 13 and 14,came forward to police.

They told policethey had been communicating with the accused on Snapchat,where he convinced them to meet in person, said Const.Gord Olson.

"Social media in general is where these meetings are taking place, and then in this instance, unfortunately, they met in person and the sexual assaults occurred," he said.

Investigators believe there could be more victims and encourage anyone with information to contact their local police.

On Friday, police released Schroeder'sSnapchat username notelectric and avatar, saying they hope thatinformation might help findother victims.

In general with these types of crimes, ifthere are one or two victims there are often others, Olson said,so RCMP put out a release in hopes others will come forward.

Schroederhas been released from custody and is set to appear in court on Feb.3.

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