The Thunder Bay Police Service has arrested a 28-year-old local man on several charges related to child exploitation following an investigation that began with reports of an adult soliciting illicit images from a minor. Matthew Stewart was taken into custody on March 12, 2026, by the specialized Break Enter Armed Robbery (BEAR) unit, which was established in 2020 to handle complex investigations.
Stewart is facing seven criminal charges, including sexual assault on a person under 16, sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, and multiple counts of luring a minor by means of telecommunication. Following a search of a north-end home on February 25, 2026, investigators seized a vehicle and various electronic devices. Stewart remains in custody following his first court appearance.
Investigators are now looking to identify additional victims and are asking anyone who may have had contact with two specific Snapchat accounts—Johnnysnowpl4ug or MattStew456—to come forward. Detective Constable Joel Manherz, an investigator with the police service’s cyber crime unit, is leading the effort to speak with anyone who encountered these accounts. Members of the community can contact him directly at 807-684-1200, extension 4115. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
This case arrives amidst a significant rise in local cyber crime. Reports of internet child exploitation in Thunder Bay increased by 126 percent between 2018 and 2024, climbing from 65 to 147 annual cases. The cyber crime unit, which consists of four sworn officers and two civilian members, continues to work on these matters alongside the major crime unit.
National data from Statistics Canada shows that while overall police-reported online child sexual exploitation incidents decreased by 16% nationally in 2024, online sexual offences against children increased by 43%, driven by a 65% increase in luring incidents. Resources for those concerned about online safety or seeking prevention support include the national reporting tipline at Cybertip.ca and Talking for Change, a national prevention program offered through a partnership between Public Safety Canada and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
