A Winnipeg man is facing numerous child-pornography charges after border agents intercepted a sex doll designed to look like a child.
A search warrant was executed at a Silver Heights-area home, and a 41-year-old man was arrested Wednesday after the Winnipeg Police Service’s internet child exploitation unit was notified by the Canada Border Services Agency that a package destined for Winnipeg contained a sex doll “anatomically designed to appear to look like a prepubescent child.”
Numerous items — including various electronic devices — were seized from the home. A forensic analysis of the devices is pending.
WPS Const. Jason Michalyshen said the “disturbing” allegations are not ones the internet child exploitation unit sees often.
“This is something pretty new and very, very unique to the unit, to the investigating members that were directly involved … it’s a matter that we’re taking incredibly seriously,” he said Friday.
“Where we have this object that is being used for a sexual purpose, but clearly designed to look like and represent a prepubescent child, (it’s) incredibly concerning, and certainly we’re always worried for our entire community with respect to the potential for any escalation.”
Ordering a doll made to look like a child and designed for sexual purposes is illegal under the category of possession of child pornography, Michalyshen said.
The accused faces numerous charges including possession of child pornography; importing, distributing, selling or possessing child pornography for the purpose of distribution; and making, printing, publishing or possessing child pornography for the purpose of publication.
Police did not release the man’s name. He remains in custody.
The charges go beyond the alleged importing of the doll. Police believe the accused imported similar items and children’s clothing between December 2022 and August 2024, including more than one doll, and Michalyshen said investigators have received “some disclosure with respect to the use of AI and making of child pornography in that fashion as well.”
He said the WPS is working to stay ahead of emerging technology’s impact on child exploitation tactics.
“It’s like anything, we have to do our very best to stay ahead of individuals engaged in any form of criminality, whether it’s technology, drug use, illicit drugs, we do our very best to stay educated, share information from jurisdiction to jurisdiction,” he said. “Because there’s always a first.”
Investigators have not received any indication the accused has had any direct contact with children for illegal purposes.
The ICE unit continues to investigate. Anyone with information or wishing to speak to investigators can call 204-986-6172.
malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca
Malak Abas
Reporter
Malak Abas is a city reporter at the Free Press. Born and raised in Winnipeg’s North End, she led the campus paper at the University of Manitoba before joining the Free Press in 2020. Read more about Malak.
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