Online Extortion investigation leads to arrest

November 13, 2025

TB25010905

A cyber crime investigation has resulted in a local man being arrested on a number of Internet related charges.

 

Members of the Thunder Bay Police Service Cyber Crime Unit began an investigation earlier this year after receiving information that a local internet user was suspected of extorting a non-local victim for their nudes.

 

In June a search was executed in relation to the investigation.

 

Police found that the accused extorted female victims between the ages of 10 and 16 for the purpose of communicating and exchanging sexually explicit material.

 

Kayden SOUTHERLAND, 19, of Thunder Bay, is charged with Accessing Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material, Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material, Possession of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material, Extortion x 2, Luring x 3 and Making Sexually Explicit Material Available to a Child.

 

The accused turned himself in to police on the morning of Thursday, November 13. The accused appeared in court this morning and has been released with conditions and a future appearance date.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

 

Visible police presence expected on Thunder Bay's south end

July 19, 2026
TB26028209 A visible police presence is expected in the Cumming Street area. Thunder Bay Police Service officers responded to a call for service in the area on the evening of July 18, 2026. The investigation remains ongoing. No further information is available at this time.  Updates will be provided as they become available.

Missing Person: Chris BARNARD, 43

July 18, 2026
The Thunder Bay Police Service is requesting the public’s assistance in locating 43-year-old Christopher BARNARD. Christopher was last seen on July 8, 2026, in the Oliver Road area. BARNARD is described as an Indigenous male, standing 5’9”, weighing approximately 140 lbs, with short dark brown hair that is shaved on the sides, a dark brown mustache and possibly a goatee, and brown eyes. If you have any information about the whereabouts of this missing person, please contact police at (807) 684-1200. Submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at www.p3tips.com.

Police presence expected on Thunder Bay's south end

July 18, 2026
A visible police presence is expected in the Prince Arthur Boulevard area. The Thunder Bay Police Service is investigating an incident that occurred in the early morning hours of July 18, 2026. No further information is available at this time. Updates will be provided as they become available.