Child Exploitation Charges Against Calgary Man

Lethbridge… ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation team has arrested a 61-year-old Calgary man for alleged child sexual exploitation offences committed against a Lethbridge teen.

Laurence Bouwmeester, 61, was arrested by Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) investigators at his Calgary home on August 23. ICE members from Calgary Police, Lethbridge Police, and RCMP collaborated on the case.

ICE alleges that Bouwmeester was engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a Lethbridge teen boy, who was 14 years old when they had met online. The relationship progressed to physical sexual offences being committed and took place over a period of two years.

ICE began investigating when a complaint was made to Lethbridge Police in March 2016. The victim’s parents discovered sexually explicit messages, photos, and videos on the victim’s computer. ICE took over the investigation and was able to identify the suspect.

When ICE searched Bouwmeester’s home a number of electronic devices and computers were seized. An initial scan of the seized devices found a number of child sexual exploitation photos, which also led investigators to believe there might be additional victims.

Anyone with information about this investigation, or any child exploitation offence is encouraged to contact local police or cybertip.ca.

Bouwmeester was held in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on September 2 for the following charges:

• Sexual assault;
• Sexual interference;
• Luring to make child pornography;
• Luring for sexual assault;
• Make child pornography;
• Possess child pornography;
• Access child pornography;
• Making sexually explicit material available to a child.