Three women, one man, charged in child porn and bestiality ring

By News Staff

Three women and one man have been arrested, charged with sexually abusing children and animals.

“The investigation has resulted in the rescue of children who were not only being sexually abused, but then further exploited by having this abuse permanently captured by the recording of it,” Toronto Police Insp. Pauline Gray said at a news conference on Thursday.

“We are concerned there may be more victims.”

Police refused to say anything about the numbers or ages of the alleged victims. Police have received multiple tips about other victims, CityNews has learned.

Police said Thursday that they searched a home in the west end of the city on April 25, and allegedly found evidence that a man and his partner were abusing animals and children.

They have two young children of their own, CityNews has learned, as well as a Great Dane and a cat. The couple met more than a decade ago.

Officers allege the pair “made, possessed, and distributed” images and videos of the abuse. Police are asking anyone who recognizes the accused or their screen names to come forward.

Jason (a.k.a. Byrd) Dickens, 45, of Toronto, has been charged with four counts of possession of child pornography, six counts of accessing child pornography, four counts of making child pornography available, three counts of making child pornography, sexual assault, invitation to sexual touching, and bestiality.

Police allege Dickens used the screen names and email addresses Retodeviant, Byrd_Dawg, Sir Dirk, retrodeviant@gmail.com, retrodeviantdawg@gmail.com, retrodeviant2004@hotmail.com, angrybyrdrigs@gmail.com, and Byrd_D@hotmail.com.

He also allegedly used the websites collarspace.com, fetlife.com, bondage.com, and slavefarm.com.

Dickens worked on several television and film projects, including ‘Degrassi High’ between 1989 and 1991. He played the role of Scott Smith, the abusive boyfriend of the character Kathleen Mead, before switching into film and TV production and technical roles in which he is still active.

The charges have no bearing on his work, Det. Mike Sabadin, of the sex-crimes child-exploitation unit, said.

Dylan Anne McEwen, 31, of Toronto, has been charged with two counts of possession of child pornography, three counts of making child pornography, two counts of sexual assault, invitation to sexual touching, bestiality, and accessing child pornography.

Police allege she used the screen names and email addresses Doll, Dirty Doll, pretty_bitter_pill@hotmail.com, and dirtyslavedoll@yahoo.com.

They are both scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 1.

McEwen worked as a massage therapist at a parlour on Bloor Street West with her mother, CityNews has learned. She and Dickens lived in the area for the last few years but moved earlier this year.

Police allege that between January 2000 and January 2006, Dickens met a woman online. He later met her in person and they allegedly sexually abused a child. They also distributed images of the abuse online.

A 57-year-old London woman, who has not been identified, is charged with two counts of sexual assault, two counts of sexual interference, two counts of making child pornography, and other charges. She is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 6.

Dickens allegedly met a second woman online and later in person. They allegedly made a video of a child’s sexual assault.

Tina Ewen, 25, of Thunder Bay, has been charged with making child pornography. She is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 27.

Dickens is facing more charges, including sexual assault and making child pornography, for these two alleged incidents.

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