Cyber crime investigation leads to child pornography charges

December 3, 2025

TB25027324

A cybercrime investigation in Thunder Bay has led to child sexual abuse and exploitation material charges.


In July members of the Thunder Bay Police Service Cyber Crime Unit began investigating the distribution and accessing of child sexual abuse and exploitation material from the city.


The investigation began in response to a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), via the National Child Exploitation Crime Centre (NCECC). 


The investigation led to a search warrant being executed on the city’s north end in October.


During the search multiple electronic devices were seized.


As a result of the investigation, 19-year-old Joshua CASEY-SKEDGEL was arrested on December 2, 2025 and he is facing the following charges:


-     Accessing Child Pornography

-     Possessing Child Pornography


The accused has been released from custody with a future court date.


The Thunder Bay Police Service recognizes that parents and caregivers are the frontline when it comes to protecting children on the Internet and electronic devices.


We encourage you to remain vigilant in your efforts. 


Tips for talking to your kids can be found, and reporting of any online exploitation can also be made, at Canada’s National Tipline for Reporting the Online Sexual Exploitation of Children at cybertip.ca.


There are also resources available through the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health for those who have a sexual interest in children.


The new Talking for Change (talkingforchange.ca) program is the first of its kind in Canada and provides national and all-ages help for those concerned about their risk to use child sexual exploitation material or offend sexually against a child.


This project has been made possible by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General.


Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to please contact Detective Constable Joel Manherz at (807) 684-1200 ext. 4115.


Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at www.p3tips.com.

Designated Truck Route enforcement

December 2, 2025
The Thunder Bay Police Service has issued tickets to drivers violating the City’s Designated Truck Route (DTR). Monitoring identified some non-compliance with the rules of the road in regards to the DTR. The Thunder Bay Police Service Traffic Unit was on patrol on Highway 102 (Dawson Road) between Dog Lake Road and Highway 11/17, on November 28, 2025, when 12 trucks were stopped for not using the DTR. Transport trucks are required to use the DTR within city limits. The DTR is designed to keep cross-country traffic on major corridors, including Highway 11/17, Highway 61, Harbour Expressway, Main Street, and Island Drive. Heavy trucks can still access any destination within the city; however, they are expected to travel along the DTR for as long as possible and use the shortest distance on other city streets to reach their final stop. Signs posted by the Ministry of Transportation and the City mark the approved route. All trucks must also comply with weight restrictions on streets outside of the DTR.

Renewed appeal for information on Missing Person - Alex Lawson

November 29, 2025
TB22072056

Investigation leads to child pornography charges

November 26, 2025
TB25011915