A Canadian man has been indicted in Ohio for allegedly coercing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Joseph B. Haggerty, 49, of New Brunswick, is accused of using coercion to get the minor to produce a visual depiction of that conduct between May 14 and July 15, 2017.
According to the indictment, Haggerty met the minor on Kik in December 2016 and the two communicated via Skype. The minor told agents that Haggerty would direct her to strip naked and engage in sexually explicit conduct during their calls, which would last for hours.
The minor also told her relatives that she was going on a camping trip, but was actually planning to stay in a hotel with Haggerty. HSI agents followed Haggerty upon his arrival in Ohio and arrested him at a park in Rocky River.
HSI agents contacted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s Internet Child Exploitation Unit, which executed search warrants at Haggerty’s home. They found nude images of the Ohio minor, contact information for the child in Texas, as well as evidence of an estimated five other potential victims.
The investigation is ongoing, but Haggerty has been charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor. If convicted, Haggerty could face a sentence determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case.
The case was investigated by HSI’s Cleveland and Austin offices, the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Rocky River Police Department, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Sullivan.
An indictment is not evidence of guilt, and Haggerty is entitled to a fair trial in which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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