HUNTSVILLE MAN, 20, CHARGED WITH LURING, SEX CRIMES

HUNTSVILLE — A young Huntsville man is charged with luring and other sex crimes after police executed a warrant at his home yesterday following an online child sexual exploitation investigation.

The provincial police Child Sexual Exploitation Unit and Huntsville OPP detachment officers arrested and charged the 20-year-old after a digital forensics investigation.

They say that on Thursday, July 23, police seized “electronic exhibits” for further examination.

As a result, Matthew Heittola was arrested and charged with two counts of Luring a Child, two counts of Making Sexually Explicit Material Available to a Child, and a single count Indecent Exposure to a person under 16 years of age.

Heittola is to appear Oct. 7, 2020, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Huntsville, Ontario.

Police are also asking anyone who may have information regarding this investigation or if you have information regarding internet child exploitation, to contact police.

If wish to remain anonymous you can contact Crime Stoppers at (TIPS) or 1-800-222-8477www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca.  Reporting information may also be made on the internet through www.cybertip.ca. 1-888-310-1122.

Police say anyone wanting to make a difference is encouraged to go to www.protectchildren.ca to download the “Child Sexual Abuse-It Is Your Business” brochure from the Canadian Center for Child Protection.

“It is an important first step that can save a child,” they say in the release.

Parents are reminded to take a proactive approach to help protect their children from online sexual exploitation by speaking with their children regarding internet safety. Parents and anyone interested in protecting children can find resources to assist them at www.cybertip.ca.