Peterborough Man with Ties to St. Catharines Arrested for Offences Against Children

In April of 2026, detectives assigned to the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit began an investigation into the making and possession of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material (CSAEM).  Over the course of the ICE Unit investigation, detectives enlisted the assistance of detectives from the NRPS Child Abuse Unit (CAU) and the Sexual Assault Unit (SAU).

As a result of the joint team investigation, a suspect male from Peterborough was identified. On May 21, 2026, detectives from the NRPS Child Abuse Unit and Sexual Assault Unit arrested 71-year-old Gordon GOULD of Peterborough for the following Criminal Code offences:

• Make Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material (x2)
• Possession of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material
• Voyeurism
• Sexual Assault (x3)
• Sexual Interference (x3)
• Invitation to Sexual Touching (x2)
• Exposing Genitals to a Person Under 16 Years (x3)

GOULD was held in custody after his arrest and is set to appear for a bail hearing on May 22, 2026, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street, in the city of St. Catharines.

Detectives believe that there may be more victims historically that have not come forward. GOULD resided in the St. Catharines area from 2015 through 2020.  He previously resided in Sudbury, Etobicoke and other parts of Ontario. He has been a resident in Peterborough since 2024.

Detectives are asking for anyone with information related to this incident, or for anyone who has had contact with GOULD in the past to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service’s Sexual Assault Unit at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009336. 

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.

For more information on how parents and guardians can keep children safe online CLICK HERE

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.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.

NRPS Incidents 26-47276, 26-57360, 26-57364, 26-57368