B.C. man faces more child porn charges in international investigation

SURREY, B.C. - More sex and child pornography charges have been laid against a Surrey, B.C., man who was arrested in January following an investigation into abuse involving nine children.

The RCMP say with the eight new charges, the 36-year-old man now faces 16 charges, including sexual assault, sexual interference and possessing, making and distributing child pornography.

The investigation began when an international source tipped police that the accused and other people around the world were exchanging images and videos of children aged 5 to 11 being sexually abused.

Police searched the man's home and found electronic and computer evidence that led to what they call the "rescue" of seven children in B.C., as well as one child in Ontario and one in the U.S.

The B.C. Integrated Child Exploitation Team says rescue means police were able to prevent the continued abuse of the children, who had been groomed by the offender to believe their treatment was normal.

The RCMP say the worldwide investigation continues and there could be more arrests and charges.