Cross-Canada investigation nets Calgary online offender

Calgary… A Calgary man has been charged with a number of offences, including child luring, extortion, and counselling suicide, following a cross-Canada investigation involving ALERT and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation unit and the OPP’s Child Sexual Exploitation Unit (CSEU) coordinated on a six-month investigation where an Ontario girl reported she was sexually extorted and harassed online. The offences date back a period of five years when the victim was 11 years old.

The victim reported receiving unsolicited messages from an unknown suspect on various social media channels. The messages were both sexual and violent in nature. Initially the victim was pressured into sending sexually explicit photos, and when the victim relented, the suspect allegedly threatening to kill the victim’s family. Further, the suspect coerced the victim to attempt suicide.

The investigation identified an Alberta-based suspect and a Calgary home was searched on October 21, 2021.

Brody Provost, 28 years old, was arrested and charged with:

• Counselling suicide;
• Extortion;
• Intimidation;
• Child luring;
• Harassing telecommunications;
• Uttering threats;
• Making child pornography;
• Distribution of child pornography;
• Possession of child pornography;
• Accessing child pornography; and,
• Making explicit materials available to a child.

A number of electronic devices were seized from Provost’s Calgary home and will be subject to expert forensic analysis. Police are exploring the possibility of identifying other victims.

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