Canadian Man, Arrested By Feds In Rocky River, Charged With Sexual Exploitation Of Girl

ROCKY RIVER, OH — An indictment has been handed down for a Canadian man accused of sexually exploiting a minor. Joseph B. Haggerty, 49, of New Brunswick, was arrested in August in Rocky River Park where he was meeting an under aged girl.

Haggerty allegedly wanted to coerce the girl into engaging in sexual acts while filming her. U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman's office says the contact between Haggerty and the girl took place between May 14, 2017 and July 15, 2017.

“This defendant preyed upon children,” Herdman said in a statement. “This case is another stark reminder to parents that they need to know who their children are communicating with on social media and in real life.”

Homeland Security investigated Haggerty after receiving a tip that he was soliciting nude images from children. That tip led directly to Haggerty's arrest. (Subscribe to the Patch Lakewood newsletter for local news and updates.)

Agents for Homeland Security followed Haggerty from the moment he arrived in Cleveland, via plane. He met a minor in Linden Park and was quickly arrested. Law enforcement found searched his room at Days Inn on Lake Avenue in Lakewood. He was carrying a bag with clothing, 12 condoms, a stuffed animal and a package of baby pacifiers, law enforcement said.

The girl told her parents that she was going on a weekend-long camping trip. Herdman's office said the girl was actually planning to spend the weekend at the hotel with Haggerty.

The girl told Homeland Security she met Haggerty on the Kik messaging app in December 2016. Their conversations migrated to Skype. The calls would last hours and the girl would strip naked and engage in sexually explicit conduct at Haggerty's request, Herdman's office said.

Homeland Security then contacted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's Internet Child Exploitation Unit, which searched Haggerty's home after acquiring search warrants. The Canadians found nude images of the Ohio girl, contact information for a child in Texas, and evidence of an estimated five other possible victims.

The investigation into Haggerty is ongoing.

“Through our partnerships with state, local, federal and international law enforcement agencies, HSI will continue to vigorously investigate child exploitation cases like this one to ensure that special agents continue to serve as a powerful barrier between predators and children," said Steve Francis, Special Agent in Charge of HSI’s Detroit Office, which includes Ohio.

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