More child sexual exploitation charges laid against Cochrane man

Calgary… ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit has charged a 19-year-old Cochrane man for child sexual exploitation offences.

ICE arrested Bransyn Lyon on December 5, 2023 at his Cochrane home with the help of Cochrane RCMP. The 19-year-old has been charged with distributing, accessing, and possessing child pornography, as well as three charges in relation to failing to comply with a release order.

Lyon has been previously charged for similar child sexual exploitation offences and his current release conditions forbade him from possessing electronic devices, accessing the internet unsupervised, and not to access any form of pornography. ICE alleges those conditions were being breached.

“ICE is concerned that the suspect continues to reoffend and has demonstrated little regard for his release conditions. Child exploitation offences remain on the rise in this province and our unit will remain diligent in targeting those that contribute to this unfortunate trend,” said Const. Erin Penner, ICE South.

A number of computers and electronic devices were seized from the suspect’s home. Forensic analysis and evidence recovery is underway and the investigation will remain ongoing.

ICE opened its investigation in October 2023 when the RCMP’s National Child Exploitation Crime Center provided information about an Alberta-based suspect repeatedly sharing child sexual abuse materials via Snapchat.

Lyon’s previous charges are related to an investigation in Saskatchewan that took place in July 2023.

Anyone with information about either of these cases or any child exploitation situation is asked to contact their local police, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.