Police lay 25 new charges against man also accused in death of Niagara woman in 2024

A man accused of the murder of a Smithville, Ont., woman in 2024 is facing 25 new charges, Niagara police say.

In a news release on Tuesday, police said new charges laid against 44-year-old Joseph Villneff from West Lincoln include sexual assault of minors and making child sexual abuse and exploitation material.

On April 26, 2024, Niagara police’s homicide unit began an investigation into the death of 62-year-old Cathy Prosje who was found dead inside her home near Linden Street and Alma Drive just after 12:33 p.m. that day.

In October 2024, Villneff was charged with first-degree murder in Prosje’s homicide. In July of 2025, Prosje's sister Carolyn Prosje, was also charged with first-degree murder.

Police did not say how or if the new charges are related to Prosje's death.

"As a continuation of the investigation [into her murder], detectives with the Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) became involved in the investigation," police said previously.

In December 2024, police charged Villneff with possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material and voyeurism. In September 2025, police said, additional child sexual abuse and exploitation material was located, and on Tuesday officers charged the man with the following criminal offences:

• Secretly recording a person for a sexual purpose — (five counts).
• Making child sexual abuse and exploitation material — (seven counts).
• Sexual assault under 16 years of age — (four counts).
• Sexual interference — (four counts).
• Unlawfully possessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material — (three counts).
• Accessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material.
• Making child sexual abuse and exploitation material available.

Villneff remains in custody and is scheduled to attend court on Jan. 28, police added.