An international investigation into possible sex crimes that began two years ago has resulted in a Metro Vancouver resident being arrested, charged, and found guilty in court.

The New Westminster Police Department (NWPD) explained in a news release today (October 1) that its major crime unit launched an investigation into child luring back in 2019.

The investigation expanded internationally and involved the B.C. Integrated Child Exploitation Unit and the U.S Department of Homeland Security.

Investigators discovered that a New Westminster resident had allegedly been targeting children online for sexual exploitation.

In July 2020, officers arrested 44-year-old Daniel Blain of New Westminster.

The NWPD announced today that he has now been convicted of one count of luring a child and one count of possessing child pornography.

“These charges coincide with a recommendation that we typically make around the start of the school year, and that is to double-check your social media privacy settings and speak with kids about how to stay safe online,” NWPD Sgt. Sanjay Kumar stated in a news release. “Strangers can find out a lot about where you work, where you live, and information about your kids from a public-facing social media account.”

The NWPD also encourages all parents and guardians to consult resources on the Canadian Centre for Child Protection website.