Kingsville Resident Faces Six Charges in OPP Child Sexual Exploitation Investigation
Electronic devices seized during searches at two locations; accused remains in custody pending bail hearing
KINGSVILLE, ON — A 52-year-old Kingsville resident faces six criminal charges following an Ontario Provincial Police child sexual exploitation investigation.
On Thursday, October 1, 2026, members of the OPP Child Sexual Exploitation Unit executed search warrants at two locations in Kingsville, assisted by officers from the Essex County Detachment. Police seized several electronic devices.
Lee Lariviere, 52, of Kingsville, was arrested and charged with:
- Accessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material — section 163.1(4.1)
- Possessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material — section 163.1(4)
- Making available child sexual abuse and exploitation material — section 163.1(3)
- Making child sexual abuse and exploitation material — section 163.1(2)
- Arranging to commit a sexual offence against a person under 16 — section 172.2(1)(b), two counts
According to police, Lariviere remains in custody pending a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Windsor on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
The allegations have not been proven in court. The accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
What the charges mean
The four material-related charges address different alleged conduct. Accessing involves knowingly causing prohibited material to be viewed by, or transmitted to, oneself. Possession concerns knowingly having the material under one’s possession or control.
Making available concerns providing others with access to prohibited material. Making concerns its creation or production. Police have not described the files seized or how the alleged offences occurred. These explanations are general and are not findings about this case.
The two arrangement charges concern alleged agreements or arrangements made through telecommunications to commit a specified offence involving someone who is under 16, or whom the accused believes is under 16.
This offence focuses on the agreement or arrangement; a completed physical assault is not required. The law can also apply to arrangements involving an undercover officer. The OPP release does not say whether an undercover operation occurred here, and two counts do not necessarily establish that two children were involved. laws-lois.justice.gc.ca
Potential penalties upon conviction
Making and making available child sexual abuse and exploitation material are indictable offences. Accessing, possession and arranging offences can proceed by indictment or summary conviction, at the Crown’s election.
| Charge | Maximum imprisonment by indictment | Maximum imprisonment by summary conviction |
|---|---|---|
| Accessing prohibited material | 10 years | Two years less a day |
| Possessing prohibited material | 10 years | Two years less a day |
| Making available prohibited material | 14 years | Not applicable |
| Making prohibited material | 14 years | Not applicable |
| Arranging a sexual offence involving a person under 16 — each count | 14 years | Two years less a day |
The statutory provisions also specify minimum jail terms of one year for the indictable offences listed, and six months where summary prosecution is available.
Those minimums must be read alongside section 718.4 of the Criminal Code. It requires a court to impose a shorter jail term where applying the specified minimum would amount to cruel and unusual punishment for that particular offender.
The maximum penalties are legal ceilings, not a forecast of the sentence in this case. The applicable law, proven circumstances, prosecution choices and sentencing rules determine the outcome. The individual maximums should not simply be added together to suggest an expected sentence.
Remaining in custody pending a bail hearing is not a conviction or a sentence.
Police seek information and encourage online safety conversations
The OPP is asking anyone with information about this investigation or online child exploitation to call 1-888-310-1122.
Anonymous information can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or Ontario Crime Stoppers. Reports of online child sexual exploitation can also be submitted to Cybertip.ca.
Police encourage parents and caregivers to speak with children about online safety. Resources are available through Cybertip.ca and the Canadian Centre for Child Protection.
