Kingston, Ont. man facing 76 charges in major sex crimes investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say a 38-year-old Kingston man is facing 76 criminal charges following a lengthy investigation into numerous sexual crimes.
OPP say the investigation, dubbed “Project Shamrock,” began in January when Kingston police were made aware of allegations that a man was luring victims through social media.
Kingston police, Ottawa police, Peterborough police and the OPP co-ordinated on the investigation.
Initially, 10 victims were identified. Police say they are now safe. Additional victims were later identified and more charges were laid, police said.
Michael Mark Haaima, 38, of Kingston, is facing the following charges:
- Sexual assault - eighteen counts
- Unlawfully access child pornography - five counts
- Obtaining sexual services for consideration - four counts
- Forcible confinement - four counts
- Assault - three counts
- Harassment by watching and besetting
- Overcome resistance to offence/attempt to choke - three counts
- Criminal harassment by communication
- Sexual assault with choking - four counts
- Uttering threats/death or bodily harm - four counts
- Compulsions to commit bestiality
- Mischief under $5000
- Invitation to sexual touching - two counts
- Sexual interference - two counts
- Procuring/person under 18 years
- Trafficking of a person under 18 years
- Obtaining sexual services for consideration under 18 - four counts
- Overcome resistance to commit sexual assault
- Sexual assault cause bodily harm
- Luring for Invitation to Sexual Touching
- Luring for Making Child Pornography
- Aggravated sexual assault - two counts
- Make child pornography - two counts
- Make available child pornography - two counts
- Possess child pornography - three counts
- Extortion - two counts
- Assault with a weapon, and,
- Voyeurism
The accused remains in custody.
"The success of Project Shamrock is an important message that as a policing community, we continue to be committed to investigating and holding those that commit these predatory crimes accountable," Kingston Police Chief Antje McNeely said in a statement. "We will work tirelessly to help reduce victimization and protect the most vulnerable in our communities."
Investigators believe there may be other victims and are asking anyone with information to come forward and contact the OPP non-emergency number at 1-888-310-1122 or their local police.
Police say if you or someone you know may be a victim of these crimes, call 9-1-1 immediately.
The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-833-900-1010. Human trafficking resources are available at canadiancentretoendhumantrafficking.ca.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.