Child pornography: 13 charged after alleged pedophile ring busted by police in Quebec, Toronto

UPDATE: May 25, 2018: The following court decisions have been made in connection to this story:

Acquitted:Dave Turcotte, Didier Chtelat and David Boucher.

Pleaded guilty:Jonathan St-Pierre, Jean-Marc St-Hilaire, Claude Paquette, Simon Brochu, Francis Perron, Kenneth Jodoin and Roger Lepage.

Charges dropped:Vincent Rodrigue.

Still before the courts:Andr Faivre, Patrick Charbonneau.

Thirteen menwere charged in connection withchild pornography after Quebec and Ontariopolice busted an online pedophile ring on Wednesday.

Twelve of the menwere arrested yesterday, while one was already in custody. Thereare warrants for the arrest of two other men.

Some of the men face charges in connection with the production and distributionof child pornography, while others are accused exclusivelyof possession of child pornography.

The four menappearedat the Montreal courthousevia video conference today:

• RogerLepage, 74, ofLvis.
• Jonathan St-Pierre, 28, ofTrois-Rivires.
• FrancisPerron, 46, of Quebec City.
• VincentRodrigue, 39, ofunknown address.

Nineothersappeared in court, in person, this afternoon:

• Claude Paquette, 31, ofMontreal.
• Simon Brochu, 34,ofMontreal.
• Didier Chetelat, 27, ofMontreal
• David Boucher, 31, ofMontreal.
• AndrFaivre, 67, ofMontreal.
• Patrick Charbonneau, 36, ofMontreal.
• Kenneth Jodoin, 40, ofMontreal.
• Dave Turcotte, 40, ofSaint-Hilaire-de-Dorset.
• Jean Marc St-Hilaire, 66, ofSaint-Eustache.

According to Quebec provincial police, the forcewhich led the investigation, the individuals allegedly exchanged information abouttheir sexual experiences with children in online discussion forums.

They are also alleged to have discussed tactics and locations where sexual contact with children couldtake place.

The accused are due back in court on Feb. 2 for bailhearings.

More than 150 officers from Quebec and Ontariohave beeninvolved in the operation, dubbed Operation Malaise.

Wednesday's arrests follow an investigation that began in 2013 following tips from the public.

Police said the investigation continues,and there could be more arrests.