Winnipeg police have arrested and charged a 49-year-old man in connection with the sexual exploitation and assault of a teenage girl.
The arrest comes after the Winnipeg Police Service’s Counter Exploitation Unit launched a probe in September 2024, prompted by a report alleging that the man had sexually assaulted a female youth he met online.
Investigators revealed that the suspect, Michele Buttari of Winnipeg, first connected with the survivor via social media in December 2023. Over the ensuing months, the two maintained contact, during which police allege that the girl was sexually assaulted on multiple occasions.
On December 22, 2024, Buttari voluntarily turned himself in at Winnipeg Police Headquarters, where he was arrested without incident. He now faces multiple charges, including:
- Sexual Assault
- Sexual Interference
- Obtaining Sexual Services from a Person Under 18 Years of Age
- Luring a Person Under 16 Years of Age by Means of Telecommunication
Buttari remains in custody as the case proceeds.
The Winnipeg Police Service has emphasized its ongoing commitment to supporting survivors of sexual assault and encourages anyone with information or who wishes to report similar incidents to contact their investigators at 204-986-3464 or submit a report online at Cybertip.ca.
Support resources are also available, including the WPS Victim Services line at 204-986-6350 and the Klinic Sexual Assault Crisis Line at 204-786-8631.
This case highlights the ongoing risks posed by online predators and the critical importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation.