Winnipeg man arrested in international child exploitation case

A Winnipeg man has been accused of paying caregivers in the Philippines to make images of children being sexually abused over the course of several years.

United States law enforcement officials informed RCMP about an international investigation into a Canadian suspect using an online alias in January 2025. The Winnipeg Police Service was called in to investigate once officials determined the suspect was living in Winnipeg.

Investigators believe the crimes took place between December 2017 and July 2023 and involved the suspect communicating online with two people in the Philippines who had several children, ranging from pre-school to school age, in their care.

Police believe they discussed the two people making child abuse images in exchange for money and that the Winnipeg suspect transmitted abuse images to the people in the Philippines.

Then, between March and July 2023, the suspect demanded additional images and threatened to distribute what he had already been sent to the Filipinos’ family and friends if they did not comply, police believe.

Investigators say the suspect also distributed the material on social media platforms based in the United States.

Police believe Christopher Steven Hoskins, 50, was behind the account. Investigators executed a warrant at his Winnipeg home earlier this month, seized several electronic devices and arrested him.

Hoskins has been charged with a slew of child pornography offences, as well as extortion. He’s been released on an order barring contact with anyone under 18 ahead of court proceedings.