Fonthill man, 46, charged with child sexual exploitation material offences

Niagara Regional Police have charged a 46-year-old Fonthill man with voyeurism and offences involving child sexual abuse and exploitation material after his arrest on November 5, 2026.

Police identified the accused as Andrew Joseph Pineault. Detectives with the service’s Internet Child Exploitation Unit began a proactive investigation into the possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material in August 2026, police said. The investigation is ongoing.

According to police, Pineault faces the following charges:

• Voyeurism
• Making child sexual abuse and exploitation material
• Possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material

Police said Pineault was in custody and scheduled to appear for a bail hearing on November 6, 2026, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, at 59 Church Street in St. Catharines.

Investigation and appeal

Niagara Regional Police said the service is part of the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet. It investigates Internet child exploitation offences with Ontario police services and international partners. The investigative initiative is supported by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General.

Police also warned that online platforms can allow users to engage with minors and create, share and store child sexual abuse and exploitation material.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Internet Child Exploitation Unit at 905-688-4111. Anonymous information can be provided to Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or at 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information that leads to an arrest. The police incident number is 26-1400034.