Additional charges laid in criminal harassment investigation

By Ottawa Police Service - Feb 17, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 1:00 p.m.

(Ottawa)— The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) has laid 13 additional charges in a criminal harassment investigation that began in 2025.

John VIOLETTE, 46, of Ottawa, is facing new charges including criminal harassment, voyeurism, distribution of voyeuristic material, and four offences related to child sexual abuse and exploitation material.

The continued investigation into VIOLETTE revealed that he captured images and videos of women in public settings, primarily of their clothed buttocks. The victims were both known and unknown to him. They were targeted particularly in shopping centres, on beaches, on public transit, and in restaurants. VIOLETTE was known to frequent Bells Corners, Kanata, and Britannia areas.

VIOLETTE had distributed some of the voyeuristic content to an associate of his in Waterloo Region. A parallel investigation was conducted by the Waterloo Regional Police Service, which led to voyeurism charges against a 39-year-old male.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the West Criminal Investigations Section at 613-236-1222, extension 2666.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca.

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Past news release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, December 8, 2025 1:30 p.m.

Seeking witnesses and victims in a criminal harassment investigation

(Ottawa)— The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) has arrested a 46-year-old man following a criminal harassment investigation.

Since July, a series of posters targeting the female victim have been posted throughout a neighbourhood near Moodie Drive and Tyrell Place in Bells Corners.

An investigation was launched by OPS’s West Criminal Investigations Section following the victim’s police report.

A search warrant was executed on December 4^th, and John VIOLETTE of Ottawa has been charged with:

Criminal harassment by repeated communication
Criminal harassment by threatening conduct

The OPS West Criminal Investigations Section believes there could be additional witnesses and victims.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the West Criminal Investigations Section at 613-236-1222 ext. 2666.