Filipino children targeted in online exploitation case that led to Winnipeg charges
WINNIPEG, Man. — A 50-year-old Winnipeg man faces multiple charges after an international investigation into child sexual abuse and exploitation material involving children in the Philippines, Winnipeg police say.
Christopher Steven Hoskins was arrested Oct. 1, after investigators with the Winnipeg Police Service Internet Child Exploitation Unit executed a search warrant at a residence in the south area of the city, police said in a media release. Several electronic devices were seized.
The investigation began in January 2025, when Homeland Security Investigations notified the RCMP’s National Child Exploitation Crime Centre Transnational Child Sex Offender Unit about an ongoing international case involving a Canadian suspect using an online alias. The suspect was ultimately determined to be living in Winnipeg, and the WPS assumed the investigation.
Investigators believe the offences occurred between December 2017 and July 2023 and involved online communications between the suspect in Winnipeg and two individuals in the Philippines who had several young children in their care, ranging from pre-school to school age.
Police allege the communications involved the creation of child sexual abuse and exploitation material by the two individuals in the Philippines in exchange for money, and that the suspect also transmitted such material to them.
Between March and July 2023, investigators believe the suspect demanded additional material and threatened to distribute previously obtained material to the individuals’ family and friends through social media if they did not comply.
Police further learned the suspect distributed child sexual abuse and exploitation material to social media platforms in the United States. The incidents were reported to the NCECC and later referred to the Winnipeg Police Service.
Hoskins has been charged with:
- Imports, Distributes, Sells or Possess for the Purpose of Distribution or Sale any Child Pornography for the purpose of distribution
- Imports, Distributes, Sells or Possess for the Purpose of Distribution or Sale any Child Pornography for the purpose of transmitting
- Agreement to Commit a Sexual Offence Against a Person Under 18 yrs of age
- Agreement to Commit a Sexual Offence Against a Person Under 16 yrs of age
- Counsel a Person to Commit Sexual Interference
- Counsel a Person to commit Invitation to Sexual Touching
- Access any Child Pornography
- Makes, Prints, Publishes or Possess for the Purpose of Publication any Child Pornography
- Extortion
- Possession of Child Pornography
- Possession of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material
Hoskins was released on a Crown consent court order prohibiting contact with individuals under 18, as mandated by Sec 161 of the Criminal Code.
