46-Year-Old Fonthill Man Arrested for Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material
In August of 2026, detectives assigned to the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit began an ongoing proactive investigation into the possession of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material (CSAEM).
As a result, on November 5, 2026, members of the NRPS ICE Unit arrested 46-year-old Andrew Joseph PINEAULT of Fonthill for the following Criminal Code offences.
- Voyeurism
- Making Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material
- Possession of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material
PINEAULT is currently in custody and scheduled to appear for a bail hearing on November 6, 2026, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street, in the City of St. Catharines.
Online platforms that allow like-minded users to engage with minors, create, share, and store Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material (CSAEM) are prevalent on the Internet. Offenders who attempt to lure children behind anonymous accounts on different platforms can be identified and will be held accountable for their actions.
The Niagara Regional Police Service is a member of the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet and conducts investigations into Internet Child Exploitation Offences in partnership with Ontario Police Services and International Partners. This investigative initiative has been made possible by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service’s Internet Child Exploitation Unit at 905-688-4111.
To report a tip and remain anonymous please call 289-248-1058.
NRPS Incident 26-1400034