TORONTO — A 42-year-old Hamilton man is facing 136 criminal charges following an international child exploitation investigation that led to the rescue of four children in the Philippines, Toronto police announced on Wednesday.
The investigation began in April 2025, when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) identified a Canadian suspect allegedly paying for and directing the livestreamed sexual abuse of children located in the Philippines.
Working with international law enforcement partners, Philippine authorities carried out a rescue operation that safely recovered four child victims, Toronto Police Inspector Keri Fernandes said during a media briefing.
Investigators later executed a search warrant at the suspect’s Hamilton residence on March 25, where they allegedly discovered child sexual abuse and exploitation material stored on electronic devices.
Police described the case as an example of financially motivated online child exploitation, in which offenders allegedly pay facilitators to livestream the abuse of children and direct the acts in real time from abroad.
RCMP Corporal Philip Gravel said transnational child exploitation networks continue to pose a significant challenge, particularly in regions such as the Philippines, where criminal groups exploit vulnerable children for profit.
The suspect, Stephen Tolys, was initially charged with six offences following his arrest. After investigators examined additional evidence and pursued new leads, authorities laid 130 more charges, bringing the total to 136.
The charges include multiple counts related to the creation, possession and access of child sexual abuse material, as well as several offences involving the alleged sexual exploitation of minors.
Investigators believe there could be additional victims and are urging anyone who may have communicated with the accused online or has relevant information to contact Toronto police as the investigation continues.
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE