ICE charges Edmonton man with 15 child exploitation offences

ICE charges Edmonton man with 15 child exploitation offences

September 11, 2013

 

Edmonton…The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team’s northern Internet Child Exploitation unit (ICE) has laid 15 charges against a 38-year-old Edmonton man following an investigation that began in January this year.

ICE North, assisted by members of the Edmonton Police Service, began an investigation following complaints about a man who was believed to be involved in inappropriate communication with teenage girls through a number of popular social media websites.

Further investigation led ICE investigators to arrest a suspect on September 10, with the assistance of Stony Plain/Spruce Grove/Enoch RCMP detachment. ICE seized several electronic devices for forensic examination and laid charges in relation to five alleged victims, ranging in age from 13 to 17, all from Edmonton.

Michael John PATTERSON is charged with six counts of luring, five counts of criminal harassment, two counts of distributing child pornography, and two counts of extortion.

PATTERSON appeared in court September 10 and was released on bail. He must abide by a number of conditions including: to not have contact with any of the victims or anyone under the age of 16; not possess electronic devices that access the Internet including cell phones, tablets, or gaming consoles; and not attend any library, internet café, or other establishment which offers public access to computers or the internet. He will appear in court again on September 13 in Edmonton.

ICE investigates the sexual exploitation of children through the Internet and works to reduce harm through public education and prevention programs.

ICE is an ALERT team established and funded by the Government of Alberta to bring together the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources to tackle serious and organized crime. Nearly 400 municipal police, RCMP and sheriffs work for ALERT.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:

Sgt. Mike Lokken
Northern Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
780-509-3362