Fort McMurray couple charged with child sexual exploitation offences

Fort McMurray… A Fort McMurray couple have been charged with child sexual exploitation offences and ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) is exploring the possibility of additional victims.

Andrew Wall, 41, and Marlena Bennett, 33, were arrested on February 26, 2021 with help from Wood Buffalo RCMP. They were charged with sexual assault, sexual interference, and bestiality.

The couple allegedly sexually assaulted an infant victim.

“When the couple’s electronic devices were analyzed, ICE uncovered very troubling, disturbing evidence of a young child being sexually assaulted. ICE has strong reason to believe this may not be the only instance and we’re exploring the possibility of other young children that were left in the couple’s care as being victimized,” said Staff Sergeant Mike Zaparyniuk, ALERT ICE.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact Wood Buffalo RCMP at 780-788-4040, or to report their concern anonymously at www.cybertip.ca.

The arrest was made after a forensic analysis was completed on the couple’s computers and electronic devices. The devices were previously seized in October 2020 when the couple was being investigated for child pornography offences.

Wall and Bennet are jointly charged with:

• Sexual assault;
• Sexual interference;
• Bestiality;
• Possession of child pornography; and
• Distribution of child pornography.

Bennet is also charged with making child pornography.