A 44 -year -old man from Los Angeles was sentenced to 40 years in an American federal prison after a Saanich family contacted the police.
The police said that on April 26, 2020, the parents of a 12 -year -old girl in the department reported that they had discovered sexually explicit messages on the phone and computer of their daughter who had been sent to an unknown person.
The agents of the family protection unit, now known as the special surveys section, launched a survey on children.
The detectives began to believe that the suspect in the case was located in the United States, they contacted American law enforcement agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and over time, it was determined that the best action plan was to transfer the case to the American authorities, Saanich police announced.
They maintained the family aware locally and in July 2022, Mark David Wallin of Los Angeles was arrested.
The survey revealed that from 2019 to August 2021, Wallin attacked pre-adolescent boys and girls in the United States and around the world and prepared them to provide him with explicit photos and videos.
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Dozens of victims have been identified, police said, with their age from nine to 16 years.
Wallin has been in detention since July 2022 and pleaded guilty in September 2024 to the production of juvenile pornography and the achievement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activities.
He was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison on May 16, 2025.
Wallin has a restitution hearing scheduled for August 13, during which a judge will determine the amount he must pay to compensate for the victims for his financial losses.
“I am incredibly proud of the officers involved in this case,” said the chief. Dean Duthie said in a statement.
“Playing such an essential role in the apprehension and the condemnation of a prolific child predator in another country is a testimony to their commitment, its tenacity and their high -quality investigation work.
“It is also very important to recognize the professional approach, compassionate and focused on the trauma they have maintained throughout this very sensitive and emotional investigation. The authentic care and the support provided by officers to the survivor and his family made a significant and significant difference in terms of comfort, confidence and the confidence they had in the process;
The acting special agent HSI Los Angeles in charge John Pasciucco said that children’s online sexual exploitation has no borders.
“Without the excellent collaboration with partners such as the Saanich police department, we cannot accomplish our mission to safeguard children and to bring those who give them to justice,” he said.
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