Lethbridge man arrested for child luring

Lethbridge… A Lethbridge man has been arrested for online-related child sexual exploitation offences allegedly committed against a Winnipeg girl. ALERT partnered with Winnipeg Police Service on the investigation.

ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit charged the suspect on January 11, 2024 after conducting a search warrant at a Lethbridge home. Lethbridge Police Service helped with the search and arrest.

Oscar Cubides Palacio, 35 years old, allegedly sexually exploited the Winnipeg girl using the social media application Snapchat. The offences date back to March 2023 when the two met online and the accused coerced the victim into providing sexually explicit materials despite knowing she was a youth.

The offences were reported to Winnipeg Police Service in July 2023, which launched the interprovincial investigation to identify the suspect and make an arrest.

“Winnipeg Police Service is seeing an increase in the number of sextortion related incidents.  By partnering with other law enforcement across Canada we can continue to build strong partnerships and achieve successful outcomes,” said Sgt. Andrea Scott, Winnipeg Police Service.

“The same way the internet is connected globally, we have a strong network of law enforcement professionals that share intelligence and work cohesively to hold online offenders accountable. The internet isn’t anonymous,” said Const. Anthony Tupper, ALERT ICE.

Palacio is charged with:

• Child luring;
• Invitation to sexual touching;
• Making child pornography;
• Possession of child pornography;
• Accessing child pornography; and
• Making sexually explicit materials available to a minor.

He was released from custody on a number of court-imposed conditions until his next scheduled court appearance on February 8, 2024.

For resources and help to recognize the signs of online child sexual exploitation, visit the ALERT website.

Anyone with information this investigation or any child exploitation situation is asked to contact their local police, or to report their concern anonymously to Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-TIPS).

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.