Hamilton Police commenced an investigation after receiving a referral from the National Child Exploitation Crime Centre.

During the course of the investigation, a search warrant was executed on March 24 resulting in computer devices being seized. On April 4, investigators located evidence of child pornography and identified a victim under the age of six from St. Ann’s Catholic Elementary School Barton Street in Hamilton.

On Monday, April 4, 2022, Hamilton Police arrested 49-year-old Paul Goodman of Hamilton at St. Ann’s Catholic Elementary School. Goodman is an Educational Assistant at the school and is also a Scout Leader with Scouts Canada. He faces the following charges:

• Possession of Child Pornography
• Making Child Pornography
• Making Child Pornography Available

Goodman is being held pending a Conditional Release.

Police believe there could be more victims.

The Hamilton Police Service is a member of the Ontario Provincial Strategy to Combat Internet Child Exploitation. This project has been made possible by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General. The Hamilton Police Service Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit continues to relentlessly pursue offenders, who are engaged in the online sexual exploitation of children. This work was done to ensure the continued protection of children in our community while holding offenders accountable for offences they commit in said community.

The investigation is ongoing. If you have any information that you believe could assist with these investigations into these crimes, you are asked to contact any member of the Internet Exploitation Unit by calling 905-540-5247.

To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com.