Investigation leads to child pornography charges

November 26, 2025

TB25011915

A cybercrime investigation in Thunder Bay has led to child pornography charges.


In March, members of the Thunder Bay Police Service Cyber Crime Unit began investigating the distribution and accessing of child pornography from the city.


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


During the search multiple electronic devices were seized.


Following an examination of the devices, three suspects were identified in the home that was searched.


Officers requested that the suspects turn themselves in.


On November 25, all three suspects surrendered as requested, and were arrested.


As a result, 19-year-old Richard JACOB is charged with Accessing Child Pornography.


Both 46-year-old, Reuben Dennis JAMES, and 28-year-old Dakota Allan PELLY are also facing the following charges:


-         Accessing Child Pornography

-         Possessing Child Pornography


All of the accused have been released from custody with future court dates.


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 (https://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 be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at www.p3tips.com.

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