A man from British Columbia has been sentenced to five years in prison for committing sex crimes involving a minor he met through Snapchat.
In a court case in Campbell River, 33-year-old Dillon Caleb Partanen from Surrey admitted to charges of sexual interference and possession of child sexual exploitation material on January 13.
Partanen has been directed to register with the National Sex Offender Registry and provide a DNA sample as part of his punishment.
The incident dates back to 2023 when Partanen initiated contact with an unnamed minor on Snapchat. This led to him traveling to Campbell River in April 2024, where further criminal acts took place.
Authorities were promptly informed about the situation, resulting in Partanen’s immediate arrest and a restraining order preventing him from returning to Campbell River during legal proceedings.
Campbell River Constable Maury Tyre emphasized the risks posed by online platforms to young individuals, stressing the importance of vigilance and awareness in protecting youth from exploitation.