Surrey man sentenced to five years in prison in B.C. Snapchat child exploitation case

A Surrey man has been sentenced to five years in prison for sex offences involving a minor he contacted through the social media platform Snapchat, according to the RCMP in Campbell River.

Police say 33-year-old Dillon Caleb Partanen pleaded guilty on Jan. 13 to charges that include sexual interference and possession of child sexual exploitation material. As part of his sentence, Partanen has also been ordered to register with the National Sex Offender Registry and provide a DNA sample.

The case dates back to 2023, when investigators say Partanen began communicating online with an unidentified youth. Those interactions later escalated, leading him to travel to Campbell River in April 2024, where police say the offences took place.

RCMP say officers were notified of the incident the same day it occurred. Partanen was arrested and released under court-ordered conditions that included a prohibition on returning to Campbell River while the case was before the courts.

Campbell River RCMP Const. Maury Tyre said the case underscores the risks young people face online, noting that social media platforms can be used by individuals seeking to exploit or traffic youth. Police continue to urge parents and guardians to speak with children about online safety and to report suspicious behaviour.