A man from British Columbia has been sentenced to five years in prison for committing sex crimes involving a minor he met on Snapchat. Dillon Caleb Partanen, a 33-year-old from Surrey, pleaded guilty to charges of sexual interference and possession of child sexual exploitation material in a case that unfolded in Campbell River.
The incident dates back to 2023 when Partanen initiated contact with an unidentified youth through Snapchat. This led to him meeting the youth in Campbell River in April 2024, where the crimes took place, resulting in the charges against him.
As part of his sentencing, Partanen has been mandated to register with the National Sex Offender Registry and provide a DNA sample. The Campbell River RCMP, who were alerted to the situation on the same day, stress the importance of monitoring online activities, as social media platforms can pose risks to young individuals.
Const. Maury Tyre of the Campbell River RCMP emphasizes the dangers present in the digital world and the ease with which individuals can exploit young people through online platforms. The case sheds light on the need for vigilance and caution when navigating the online realm.
Published by The Canadian Press on Jan. 21, 2026.
Keyphrase: online safety risks