Jorge Maria
Gatineau Oct. 27, 2021
Archille Belland, 56, of Otter Lake, has been arrested by Sûreté du Québec and faces charges of the “possession and distribution of child pornography, accessing child pornography and improper storage of a firearm,” according to a French-language press release issued last Wednesday.
Belland appeared in court at the Gatineau Courthouse to face the charges on Oct. 19.
The operation was conducted by SQ investigators specializing in sexual exploitation of children on the internet and in collaboration with MRC Pontiac’s SQ detachment in Campbell’s Bay. Belland was arrested in connection with child pornography found in his residence going back 10 years, from 2011 to 2021.
“The Sûreté du Québec’s Criminal Investigation Department has experts in cybercrime and child sexual exploitation within its Specialized Investigation Projects Unit,” the statement said (translated).
Belland has been released with certain conditions; his next scheduled court date is Nov. 22.
Investigators work in collaboration with the RCMP and municipal police officers to combat cybercrime. Since the provincial strategy was established in 2012, “nearly 900 arrests have been made” and “100s of victims have been identified.”
The SQ invites anyone to report information regarding sexual exploitation of children on the internet at cybertip.ca.
Information on criminal activity or suspicious incidents can be reported via the SQ’s Criminal Information number: 1-800-659-4264.
