After the initial charges were laid against a 27-year-old male, new evidence arose that led police into an extensive and lengthy 7-month investigation. Fort Saskatchewan RCMP's General Investigation Section (GIS) were able to identify eight additional underage victims, spanning the provinces of Alta., Ont. and B.C. The 27-year-old male utilized the same tactics of reaching out to the victims via social media platforms, then exchanged nude photos with them. He also met in person with two of the additional victims. As a result of this investigation, the 27-year-old male was arrested in Whitecourt on March 11, 2021, and was charged with multiple counts of the following offences:
- Section 152 CC – Invitation to Sexual Touching
- Section 151 – Sexual Interference
- Section 153.1(1) Sexual Exploitation of Person with Disability
- Section 271 CC - Sexual Assault
- Section 163.1(4) CC – Possession of Child Pornography
- Section 163.1(4.1) CC – Accessing Child Pornography
- Section 163.1(2) CC – Making Child Pornography
- Section 171.1(1)(b) CC – Make Sexually Explicit Material Available
- Section 172.1(1) CC – Luring a Child
- Section 264 CC – Criminal Harassment
- Section 372(3) CC - Harassing Telecommunications
The 27-year-old male was brought before a Justice of the Peace where he was remanded into custody. His next court appearance is on April 1, 2021, in Fort Saskatchewan.
This was a collaborative effort amongst multiple police jurisdictions. The Fort Saskatchewan RCMP would like to thank the RCMP in Whitecourt, Grand Prairie, Williams Lake B.C., as well as the Ontario Provincial Police, and the RCMP's Digital Forensic Section, for their assistance on this sensitive investigation.
Insp. Mike McCauley, the Officer in Charge of the Fort Saskatchewan RCMP, said "I want to thank all of the people who worked on this complex investigation. I feel so deeply for the victims and their families. Their healing will take time, but at least it can now start and they can feel safe. These files are challenging from an investigative perspective, but they are also taxing on the officers any time children are involved."
If you have any information about this or any other crime, please contact the Fort Saskatchewan RCMP at 780-997-7900 or your local police service. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.