Edmonton man arrested trying to lure children

Edmonton… ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit has arrested an Edmonton man who was allegedly attempting to meet children for sex.

Based on digital evidence obtained from the suspect’s phone, investigators believe children as young as nine may have been sexually assaulted.

Aarron Kowalchuk was arrested on June 20, 2023 with the help of Edmonton Police Service. The 34-year-old was arrested at an Edmonton address and he was found carrying a backpack with a conducted energy weapon.

Kowalchuk has been charged with:

• child luring;
• arrangement of a sexual offence against a child;
• making sexually explicit material available to a child;
• making child pornography;
• possession of child pornography;
• distribution of child pornography; and
• possession of a prohibited device.

ICE forensic analysis of his seized phone and other computer devices have uncovered child sexual exploitation materials and incriminating online chat logs. Investigators believe Kowalchuk was sending children sexually explicit materials and attempting to meet for sex.

Investigators also believe Kowalchuk met and sexually assaulted at least two children who they have been unable to identify. These instances are believed to have taken place in the Edmonton area.

Kowalchuk remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on July 14, 2023.

Anyone with information about either of these cases or any child exploitation situation is asked to contact their local police, or to report their concern anonymously at www.cybertip.ca.

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.