Spruce Grove Father Allegedly Sexually Abused Children

Edmonton… A Spruce Grove father has been charged with a number of sex offences allegedly committed against his own daughters. The arrest came following a joint investigation by ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit and the RCMP’s National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre.

The 32-year-old suspect was arrested on April 6, 2018, when a search warrant was executed at his Spruce Grove home. No children were located in the home at the time of the search. Members of the Spruce Grove/Stony Plain RCMP detachment provided assistance with the search and arrest.

ICE is not providing the suspect’s name in order to protect the identity of the two victims. Both children are toddler-aged and were allegedly sexually assaulted on a number of occasions over a period of several months. The Zebra Center for Child Protection is providing support and assistance to the victims.

ICE became aware of the case after receiving information from the RCMP National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre (NCECC). The NCECC, based in Ottawa, is Canada’s main portal for all matters related to the sexual exploitation of children on the internet.

“Our number one focus was on the safety of these children and ending the abuse. This case was afforded ICE’s highest priority and we were able to make an arrest within 48 hours of receiving the case referral,” said Det. Brian Cross, ICE.

The suspect has been charged with:

• sexual assault (x 2);
• sexual exploitation (x 2);
• invitation to sexual touching (x 2);
• making child pornography;
• possessing child pornography;
• accessing child pornography; and
• making child pornography available.

Anyone with information about this investigation or any child exploitation offence is encouraged to contact local police or 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.