Cooperation between the Surrey RCMP and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has led to a the arrest of an American man, accused of luring a child in Surrey.
On November 18, 2021, 35-year old Kevin McCarty from Oregon was arrested in California by Homeland Security Investigations agents (HSI) after the joint investigation that originated in Surrey.
In September 2021, McCarty, who used an alias, allegedly contacted and communicated with a 14-year-old Surrey youth, on social media. He then allegedly groomed the youth for a sexual purpose, and coerced them to create, and distribute self-exploitive sexual material.
The Surrey Frontline, Digital Forensic Triage Services and Internet Child Exploitation Units worked with the victim and their family to gather evidence. Investigators dertermined that the suspect was American, and engaged with HSI.
As the investigation progressed HSI agents identified additional victims, and identified Kevin McCarty as the suspect. They acted immediately, effecting an arrest.
McCarty is now facing charges in the United States. The criminal complaint in the District of Oregon has laid charges of sexual exploitation of children, distribution of child pornography, cyberstalking, online enticement of a minor, and transferring obscene material to a minor.
