Man Arrested in Child Sexual Abuse Material Investigation
Summary
The Toronto Police Service announced the arrest of Stephen Tolys, 42, in connection with a child sexual abuse and exploitation material investigation. The arrest followed the execution of a search warrant in Hamilton, Ontario, where child sexual abuse material was allegedly located. Tolys faces multiple charges related to the creation, access, possession, and arrangement for child sexual abuse material.
What changed
The Toronto Police Service has arrested and charged Stephen Tolys, 42, with multiple offenses related to child sexual abuse and exploitation material. The charges include making arrangements to commit the offense, making, accessing, and possessing such material. The investigation, which began in April 2025 with assistance from various national and international agencies including FINTRAC, culminated in the execution of a search warrant in Hamilton, Ontario, where the alleged material was found.
While this is an enforcement action against an individual, it highlights the ongoing efforts to combat child sexual exploitation. The Toronto Police Service urges anyone with information to contact them or Crime Stoppers. Resources for reporting online child sexual exploitation and for individuals concerned about their risk to offend are also mentioned, including Canada's National Tipline (cybertip.ca) and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health's 'Talking for Change' program.
What to do next
- Review internal policies and training related to identifying and reporting child sexual exploitation concerns.
- Ensure all personnel are aware of reporting channels for child exploitation, including cybertip.ca and law enforcement contacts.
Penalties
Stephen Tolys faces charges including making arrangements to commit the offense of making child sexual abuse and exploitation material, making child sexual abuse and exploitation material, two counts of accessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material, and two counts of possessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material.
Source document (simplified)
News Release
Man Arrested in Child Sexual Abuse Material Investigation,
Kenilworth Avenue North and Cannon Street area,
City of Hamilton area
Unit:
Sex Crimes
Case #: 2025-615860
Published: Thursday, March 26, 2026, 11:49 AM
Share The Toronto Police Service is making the public aware of an arrest made in a Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material investigation.
In April 2025, with the assistance of The Child Rescue Coalition, The National Child Exploitation Crime Center, and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), the Toronto Police Service began a Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation investigation.
On Tuesday, March 25, 2026, members of the Toronto Police Service Internet Child Exploitation unit executed a Criminal Code search warrant in the Kenilworth Avenue North and Cannon Street East area, in the city of Hamilton.
It is alleged that:
- a quantity of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material was located Stephen Tolys, 42, of Hamilton, has been arrested and charged with:
- Make arrangement/agreement with a person to commit the offence of Make Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material with respect to another person who is, or the accused believes is under the age of 18
- Make Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material
- two counts of Access Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material
- two counts of Possess Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material He was scheduled to appear in court at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre, 2201 Finch Avenue West, on Wednesday, March 26, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., in room 107.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-8500, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.
Reporting can also be made at Canada’s National Tipline for Reporting the Online Sexual Exploitation of Children at www.cybertip.ca.
This project has been made possible by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
There are also resources available through the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health for those who have a sexual interest in children. The new Talking for Change program is the first of its kind in Canada and provides national and all-ages help for those concerned about their risk to use child sexual exploitation material or offend sexually against a child.
Corporate Communications for Sex Crimes
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