39 year old man charged in connection with child pornography investigation

A 39-year-old man from Cornwall, PEI, has been charged in connection with an investigation into child pornography.

On August 8, 2024, police executed a search warrant at a residence in Cornwall as part of the ongoing investigation. Matthew Alan Craswell was arrested at the scene, and police seized electronic devices from the residence. Craswell was later released from custody on strict conditions pending a future court appearance.

The investigation, led by PEI RCMP's Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit, and supported by the PEI RCMP General Investigation Section, began in June of this year, following information received from the RCMP's National Child Exploitation Crime Centre (NCECC). PEI RCMP's Internet Child Exploitation Unit falls under the Major Crime Unit, which has the responsibility of providing assistance to all three Island RCMP Districts on complex investigations or those requiring a significant amount of resources.

"Offences involving children are upsetting and shocking for victims, family, and our communities. Your Island police agencies are committed to combatting child exploitation and I want to encourage anyone who may have experienced exploitation, abuse, or violence in any form, to come forward to police," said Chief Superintendent Kevin Lewis, Commanding Officer PEI RCMP.

If you are a victim, or have any information related to these incidents or similar ones, please contact your local police. If you have information that may assist the investigation and would like to remain anonymous, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).