A Dutch media outlet is reporting that a 35-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the online harassment and sexual exploitation of Port Coquitlam teen Amanda Todd, who killed herself in 2012.
However, Dutch prosecutors are not confirming that an individual arrested and charged with possession and distribution of child pornography has anything to do with Amanda Todd.
The full press release from the National Public Prosecutor's Office is available here.
The news organization Omroep Brabant reported Thursday that the man who was arrested was from Oklahoma City and was arrested in Oisterwijk, a municipality in the south of the Netherlands.
An official from the National Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed an individual had been arrested and appeared in Amsterdam District Court yesterday and will stay in custody for another three months. Paul Van der Zanden said the individual is a Dutch citizen but he couldn't confirm any connection to the Amanda Todd case, nor would he state that law enforcement agencies are working with Canadian police, only that they are "cooperating with the British and the Americans."
Van der Zanden also said he couldn't comment "in relation to possible victims in this case" because the investigation is ongoing.
As well, a Dutch embassy spokesperson could not confirm the arrest but could say only that journalists have reported the information in the Dutch media.
On Thursday at 5 p.m., the RCMP planned a press conference with the family of Amanda Todd present.
This is the official statement from the RCMP.
"The RCMP in British Columbia is aware of the investigation in the Netherlands that has resulted in the arrest of a 35 year old male in the Netherlands and subsequent charges being laid related to possession and distribution of child pornography and the extortion of Dutch victims."
Todd, who was 15 when she died, lived and went to school in the Tri-Cities, and her case gained international attention because of a heart-wrenching video of the pain she experienced with online bullying, and harassment. Her mother Carol Todd has been a staunch advocate of children who are struggling emotionally and has taken part in campaigns and raised funds to promote awareness of the effects of bullying and online sexual exploitation.
dstrandberg@tricitynews.com
