Two Welland Residents Arrested in Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material Investigation
On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) 3 District (Welland/Pelham) uniform officers responded to a call for service at a Welland residence. Officers sought assistance from the NRPS Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit. Detectives in the ICE Unit began an investigation into Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material offenses. After a thorough investigation by members of the NRPS ICE Unit, two Welland residents were identified as the suspects.
On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, detectives from the ICE Unit arrested 40-year-old Kory Alexander HODGINS of Welland for the following Criminal Code offences:
- Make Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material
- Possession of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material
- Make Available Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material
On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, Detectives from the ICE Unit also arrested 32-year-old Brianna Aleea GEARING of Welland for the following Criminal Code offences:
- Make Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material
- Possession of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material
- Make Available Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material
HODGINS and GEARING were held in custody after their arrests and are set to appear for a bail hearing on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street, in the City of St. Catharines.
Detectives in the NRPS ICE Unit are requesting if anyone has had any contact or information regarding HODGINS or GEARING, please contact 905-688-4111 extension 1009128.
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 Incident #26-73894