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Matthew Norman Ballek, of Saskatchewan, was taken into custody on Wednesday afternoon following an indictment that charged him with the distribution of child pornography after he distributed video files of men engaging in sexually explicit conduct with minors.
According to the indictment, on Jan. 23, a member of the Metropolitan Police Department's Child Exploitation Task Force was monitoring an online app undercover after learning the platform was used by some who have a sexual interest in children.
The undercover agent came into contact with Ballek, who sent a message believing he was communicating with a pedophile.
Ballek later sent the undercover agent three video files depicting adult males sexually abusing minor children.
On Thursday, Feb. 1, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Ballek with one count of distribution of child pornography, and he was arrested on Wednesday, Feb. 7.
Ballek was arrested at his DC home and is being held in custody pending his detention hearing on Monday, Feb. 12.
If convicted, Ballek will face up to 20 years in prison for distributing child porn.
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