Two men were charged following what a Bracebridge court dubbed an amateur investigation into child luring allegations.
Court heard that Kenneth Merton, 34, of Muskoka came into communication online with someone who claimed to be an underage girl. In actuality, it was an adult male posing as an underage female.
The man pretending to be an underage girl eventually told Merton he was 13. Court heard it was “very clear” that Merton believed the man was a 13-year-old girl.
Merton told her he was a 33-year-old man and encouraged her to leave her boyfriend, the court heard. Merton also spoke about dating her and advised her not to tell her friends about their communications. Merton sent nude photos and asked for similar photos in return.
Merton was ultimately charged with child luring and the man conducting the amateur investigation was charged with criminal harassment.
Merton was sentenced to six months in jail and given 12 months probation. He was ordered to have no internet communications with anyone under the age of 16 and must register as a sex offender.
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Norm Raynor says
Can someone explain why the amateur investigator was charged with criminal harassment? If he had reported the offence to crime stoppers he might have been given a reward. Also where does Merton live? I am sure that people would like to know so they can protect their children from him.