Child pornography – Otter Lake man arrested

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OTTER LAKE – Sûreté du Québec (SQ) investigators specializing in the sexual exploitation of children on the internet, in collaboration with investigators from the MRC Pontiac SQ office, have arrested an Otter Lake man in connection with child pornography that occurred between 2011 and 2021.
Archille Belland, 56, appeared in court in Gatineau on October 19 facing charges of possession and distribution of child pornography, accessing child pornography and improper storage of a firearm. Police conducted a search of the suspect’s residence and computer equipment was seized for analysis.
The SQ’s Criminal Investigation Branch has a specialized investigation unit with experts in cybercrime and child sexual exploitation. They work in close collaboration with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and all municipal police officers. Since the implementation of the SQ’s provincial strategy to combat child sexual exploitation in 2012, close to 900 arrests have been made. As a result, several hundred victims have been identified.
The public is invited to report any situation of sexual exploitation of youth on the internet at www.cybertip.ca. Any information on criminal acts or suspicious events can be communicated to the SQ’s Criminal Information Centre at 1-800-659-4264.                               (AB)