Mississauga man charged after seven-month online child-exploitation investigation spanning two police services
John Thompson, 52, faces multiple charges including luring minors and possession of child sexual abuse material after investigations by York Regional Police and the Ontario Provincial Police.
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A Mississauga man has been charged in a months-long child-exploitation investigation that involved multiple aliases and allegations he attempted to arrange meetings with youths he believed were under 16.
John Thompson, 52, is charged with two counts of making child sexual abuse and exploitation material, three counts of luring a person under 16 by telecommunication, making sexually explicit material available to a child under 18, and possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material.
York Regional Police say the case began in September 2025, when officers identified a suspect using an online platform to communicate with youths and allegedly attempting to arrange sexual offences. The suspect used numerous aliases over the seven-month period, including "Scanner," "Competentist," "James Thomas," "JP T" and "Confessionator," while continuing to send messages to individuals he believed were underage.
In May 2026, the Ontario Provincial Police notified York police that they were investigating similar allegations involving the same suspect. The two services coordinated their efforts, and by June 2026, Thompson was arrested and charged in connection with both investigations.
Police have released a photo of the accused and say they believe additional victims may exist. Anyone with information or anyone who may have been contacted by the suspect under any of the listed aliases is urged to come forward.
These allegations have not been proven in court.
How many victims or potential victims have been identified across both investigations?
Which online platforms was the suspect using to contact youths?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
At a glance
Who was charged in this investigation?
John Thompson, a 52-year-old from Mississauga, was charged with two counts of making child sexual abuse and exploitation material, three counts of luring a person under 16 by telecommunication, making sexually explicit material available to a child under 18, and possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material.
When did the investigation start?
York Regional Police began investigating in September 2025 after officers identified a suspect using an online platform to communicate with youths and allegedly attempting to arrange sexual offences.
When was Thompson arrested?
John Thompson was arrested and charged in June 2026 after York Regional Police and the Ontario Provincial Police coordinated their investigations.
What aliases did the suspect use?
Over the seven-month investigation period, the suspect used the aliases 'Scanner,' 'Competentist,' 'James Thomas,' 'JP T,' and 'Confessionator' while communicating with individuals he believed were underage.
