International child sex abuse investigation prompts charges for Winnipeg man

A 50-year-old Winnipeg man is currently facing multiple charges following an international child sex abuse investigation, reported Canadian authorities. The suspect, identified as Christopher Steven Hoskins, was apprehended by officers from the Winnipeg Police Service's internet child exploitation unit earlier this month. According to police, the charges stem from his alleged involvement in distributing child sexual abuse and exploitation material (CSAEM) involving children in the Philippines.

The Canadian investigation was initiated after a tip was received from Homeland Security Investigations in the U.S. The alleged suspect, operating under an alias and based in Canada, was identified based on an ongoing international probe. Police confirmed that Hoskins was living in Winnipeg, which led to the involvement of WPS's internet child exploitation unit in the case.

Investigations revealed that Hoskins was collaborating with two individuals in the Philippines between December 2017 and July 2023 to create abusive material. These individuals were said to be in possession of several children between the ages of preschool and school. The suspect allegedly received and transmitted CSAEM to the Filipino duo in exchange for money, according to police.

Additionally, Hoskins reportedly demanded further abusive material from the pair in March 2023 and July 2023, threatening to share previously received material on social media if they did not comply.

RCMP National Child Exploitation Crime Centre investigators also found that the suspect was posting abusive material of children on U.S. social media platforms, providing this information to Winnipeg police. Upon his arrest on October 1, officers seized several electronic devices from Hoskins. As a result of these charges, Hoskins was released on a Crown consent court order, which prohibits him from contacting anyone under the age of 18.