U.S. man charged in child exploitation case involving Ottawa youth
Posted Jul 8, 2026 01:53:27 PM.
Last Updated Jul 8, 2026 01:59:33 PM.
A 22-year-old from the United States is facing charges after Ottawa police and the Canadian Border Services Agency discovered he travelled to the nation’s capital to meet a youth.
According to a release, police launched the investigation after a complaint that an 11-year-old in Ottawa had been sexually exploited online. Through the interview with the child and looking at the digital evidence, officers uncovered that the 11-year-old had been sexually exploited for several months.
Officials also said they found evidence that the suspect had also abused a 14-year-old in the U.S.
Working with border agents, police said they found that the man travelled from the U.S. to Ottawa in July 2025 to meet with the child. Homeland Security Investigations in Ottawa joined forced with police to find the U.S.-based suspect.
Joseph Erkert of Dingmans Ferry, PA, was arrested by American officials and charged with sexual abuse of children; unlawful contact with a minor; corruption of a minor and criminal use of communication facility.
The accused is also facing charges in relation to the 14-year-old victim, including Aggravated indecent assault; corruption of a minor; unlawful contact with a minor; aggravated indecent assault without consent, and indecent assault on a person less than 16 years of age.
He remains in U.S. custody.
Ottawa police are highlighting this incident as a warning to parents and children of online safety. They said Erkert used the usernames nextrevit79 and Next revitYT. Investigators are worried there might be other vicitms.
“Anyone who recognizes these usernames or believes their child may have had contact with this individual is asked to contact the OPS Internet Child Exploitation Unit at 613-236-1222, extension 5660,” the release reads.
Canadian man charged by FBI
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation undercover agents found a “disturbing” case of child sexual abuse last month.
According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Alexander Towns, 44, is accused of using an online messaging app to communicate with minors to engage in sexual acts.
In this instance, two undercover FBI officers posed as a minor, where they say Towns distributed child sexual abuse materials. During the operation, agents said the man made “sexually explicit statements” of his intentions with the ‘minor.’
Towns travelled from Ottawa to Nashville, Tenn., the release notes, which police say was with the intention of “engaging in sexual acts” with the minor. He was arrested by the FBI after landing in the city.
“We will aggressively prosecute anyone accused of travelling to sexually abuse a minor. This is one of the most disturbing crimes that crosses my desk,” United States Attorney Kyle Bumgarner said.
