Crowsnest Pass man arrested for child sexual exploitation offences

Crowsnest Pass… A 35-year-old Coleman, Alta. man has been arrested by ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation unit for alleged child sexual exploitation offences.

ICE arrested the suspect on August 18, 2022 with the assistance of Crowsnest Pass RCMP. He has been charged with making, possessing, accessing, and distributing child pornography. However, the investigation is ongoing and more charges are being contemplated.

“ICE has an unwavering commitment towards identifying and rescuing children from sexual exploitation. In this investigation our priority is the well-being of the victim, and we will continue to advance the case and explore the totality of the alleged offences, which includes the possibility of other victims,” said Const. Anthony Tupper, ALERT ICE.

The suspect’s name is not being released in order to protect the identity of the victim. The victim and family members are receiving help from a variety of specialized support services, and children’s services is involved.

The suspect was released from custody on a number of court-imposed release conditions. He is scheduled to appear in court on September 13, 2022 at the Pincher Creek, Alta. courthouse.

ICE began investigating the suspect after the RCMP’s National Child Exploitation Crime Centre shared information about a suspect uploading child sexual exploitation material to a social media network, which depicted young children.

A number of computer and electronic devices were seized from the suspect’s Coleman home. It was during ICE’s preliminary forensic analysis that investigators discovered sexual offences being committed against a child that was known to him.

ICE is exploring the possibility of additional victims and anyone with information about this case or any child exploitation situation is asked to contact ICE, their local police, or to report their concern anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Crowsnest Pass is located in southwest Alberta along the British Columbia border.

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.