Oregon man arrested in California for online exploitation of Surrey girl

Photo: Glacier Media

The American Department of Homeland Security was called in to help with an incident involving a teen from Surrey.

Kevin McCarty, a 35-year-old man from Oregon, is facing charges in the U.S. after being arrested by Homeland Security in California with help from Surrey RCMP.

Using an alias, he allegedly contacted a 14-year-old Surrey youth via social media in September.

As they continued communicating, he allegedly groomed the young teen "for a sexual purpose," according to Surrey RCMP and "coerced them to create, and distribute self-exploitative sexual material."

Surrey RCMP got involved, and digital forensic investigators along with the internet child exploitation unit were able to figure out the suspect was American. They then called Homeland Security.

Homeland Security was able to identify McCarty and other alleged victims of his.

Charges of sexual exploitation of children, distribution of child pornography, cyberstalking, online enticement of a minor, and transferring obscene material to a minor are all being laid.

The investigation is also working with the Canada's Project Arachnid, which helps stem the proliferation of child sexual abuse material on the internet.

"Project Arachnid helps break the cycle of the distribution of these images. This can help address victims’ fears that someone they know may come across their image on the internet," says Cpl. Danielle Pollock.

Police remind parents about the importance of monitoring children's internet activity.