A 49-year-old New Brunswick man who allegedly travelled to Ohio to meet a teenage girl is facing a charge of production of child pornography in the United States.
Joseph Haggerty of St. Stephen, N.B., was arrested last Thursday, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in northern Ohio.
According to an affidavit, the time of his arrest he was carrying a bag with clothing, 12 condoms, a stuffed animal and a package of baby pacifiers.
“This case is another stark reminder to parents that they need to know who their children are communicating with on social media and in real life,” acting U.S. Attorney David Sierleja said in the release.
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Officials said agents with Homeland Security Investigations in Austin, Texas, received a tip that Haggerty had been soliciting nude images from children.
They said he was scheduled to fly from Toronto to Cleveland last Thursday, and upon his arrival, agents followed him to Linden Park in the suburb of Rocky River, where he allegedly met with a 17-year-old girl.
The girl told agents she started talking to Haggerty on a messaging app last December and they subsequently engaged in hours-long Skype chats, in which the accused would allegedly direct her conduct, the release said.
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It said the girl told relatives she was going on a camping trip for the weekend, but actually planned to go to the Lakewood hotel with Haggerty.
Homeland Security Investigations contacted the RCMP’S internet child exploitation unit, who executed a search warrant at Haggerty’s St. Stephen home and found nude images of the minor as well as evidence of an estimated five other potential victims, it said.
“This defendant victimized at least one child and possibly many more,” Sierleja alleged of the accused.
U.S. Attorney’s Office spokesman Mike Tobin said Haggerty remained in custody Friday after waiving his right to a detention hearing Monday.
— With files from Alexander Quon