Latest news with #ALERT
Edmonton Journal
5 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
Leduc man charged with luring teen girls for sex: ALERT
A Leduc man is facing a raft of criminal charges after a probe by the province's child exploitation investigations team, which alleges he lured at least six teenage girls for sex. Article content The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) on Wednesday announced it has laid 27 charges against the 49-year-old, the target of a child luring investigation which began in April. Article content Article content Article content The agency said the man targeted girls in the Edmonton area aged 15 to 16, using social media apps including Snapchat to meet them for sex. Article content Article content Det. Christine Sawatsky said the investigation doesn't stop here. 'We have reason to believe there are more victims we have yet to identify as we discover images and videos on these devices,' she said in the release. Article content The accused was arrested when police executed a search warrant in Leduc June 26. They seized several devices including a smart phone and a laptop. Article content Investigators said he used the pseudonym Burke, as well as the usernames 'burkeishere2525,' 'devonhouston25,' 'keenonhedstrom' and 'treyliles2424.' Police released the names in hope of identifying additional youth who may have had contact with the accused, Sawatsky said. Article content Campbell Fergusson faces charges including child luring, making and possessing child pornography, and making sexually explicit material available to a child. He remains in custody, with his next court appearance set for Thursday. Article content Article content Article content ALERT is a multi-agency unit funded by the Alberta government to investigate serious and organized crime. Article content
CTV News
6 hours ago
- CTV News
Edmonton-area man charged with 27 child pornography offences
The province's joint police task force has charged a Leduc man with several offences related to child pornography. The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) said in a media release Wednesday it has charged Campbell Ferguson with 27 charges including luring and creating child pornography after an investigation by its internet child exploitation unit. Investigators have identified six victims but believe there are more, unit member Det. Christine Sawatsky said in the media release. ALERT said it began looking into activities by the 49-year-old in April after receiving an online tip about him in April. Ferguson, who was arrested Thursday, allegedly targeted Edmonton-area girls aged 15-16 via social media and would lure them into meeting him in person for sex, ALERT said. Ferguson may be known to victims by his usernames/handles, including Burke, burkeishere2525, devonhouston25, keenonhedstrom and treyliles2424. 'We hope that by releasing his usernames, that more victims will be encouraged to come forward and speak with police. We have supports available through partners like the Zebra Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, for anyone who does come forward,' Sawatsky said. Anyone with information about Ferguson is asked to contact local police or Crime Stoppers.
CBC
6 hours ago
- CBC
Alberta man faces 27 charges for allegedly making child pornography, online luring
Police allege an Alberta man facing 27 child exploitation charges targeted underage girls online before luring his victims to meet him in person. In a news release Wednesday, investigators with the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams announced charges against 49-year-old Campbell Fergusson of Leduc, Alta. The charges include six counts of making child pornography, six counts of possessing child pornography, as well as child luring charges. ALERT's Internet Child Exploitation unit began investigating Fergusson in April after receiving an online tip. Police allege he targeted girls in the Edmonton area between the ages of 15 and 16 years old via social media apps, including Snapchat. Investigators allege that Fergusson would encourage his victims to meet him in person so he could sexually exploit and assault them. Police believe there may be additional victims they have yet to identify. Pseudonyms, search for victims Fergusson was arrested on Thursday and several electronic devices were seized, including a smartphone and laptop, police said. "Our investigators and forensic technicians have successfully identified six victims linked to Mr. Fergusson, but this investigation doesn't stop here," said Det. Christine Sawatsky in a news release. "We have reason to believe there are more victims we have yet to identify as we discover images and videos on these devices." Investigators said the accused may be known to his victims under the usernames burkeishere2525, devonhouston25, keenonhedstrom, treyliles2424, or by his pseudonym, Burke. "We hope that by releasing his usernames, that more victims will be encouraged to come forward and speak with police," Sawatsky said. Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers. Victims who do come forward will be offered counselling and supports through the Zebra Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, police said. Fergusson remains in custody. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 3.
Toronto Sun
6 days ago
- Toronto Sun
Cops hunt Edmonton high school teacher facing child sexual exploitation charges
Police have reason to believe the man may have left the country ALERT's Internet Child Exploitation unit have charged a man who taught at St. Oscar Romero Catholic High School and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. Postmedia, file Police are searching for an Edmonton high school teacher who's wanted on child sexual exploitation charges. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account ALERT's Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit have charged the man, who taught at St. Oscar Romero Catholic High School, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. On Tuesday, the ICE unit went to the school in southwest Edmonton in an attempt to arrest the suspect, but they have reason to believe he may have left the country. Jimmy Buena, 47, has been charged with making, accessing and transmitting child pornography. ICE started its investigation last week when they were given a tip by the RCMP's National Child Exploitation Crime Centre. According to ICE, Buena had allegedly uploaded child sexual abuse materials through Facebook. ALERT said it's unknown if any students were potentially impacted, but they encourage anyone with any information regarding this case to call police or Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-TIPS). This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The investigation remains ongoing. Read More Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don't miss the news you need to know — add and to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters. You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post, and 13 other Canadian news sites. The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun Toronto Raptors CFL Canada Celebrity Sunshine Girls
Global News
25-06-2025
- Global News
Arrest warrant issued for Edmonton teacher wanted on child pornography charges
An arrest warrant has been issued for an Edmonton teacher wanted in connection with a criminal online child sexual exploitation investigation, and police say they believe he has fled the country. In a news release issued Wednesday, the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) said its internet child exploitation (ICE) unit has charged Jimmy Buena with making, accessing, possessing and transmitting child pornography. Police said Buena taught at St. Oscar Romero Catholic High School in west Edmonton. ALERT said police officers went to the school on Tuesday with the hope of arresting the teacher but he was not there. Staff Sgt. Alison Church, who works with ALERT's ICE unit, said 'it's very important to note that at this point in the investigation there is no information to indicate that this impacted or involved any students at the school.' Story continues below advertisement Church said, however, that the investigation is ongoing and she realizes students or families will feel impacts, even if they are not the victims of crimes themselves. She added that while Buena has yet to be found, investigators believe he may have fled to the Philippines. In a statement issued to Global News, a spokesperson for the Edmonton Catholic School Division said Buena was last at the school on June 19 and the school division learned about the investigation on Tuesday. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'We are aware that charges have been laid against a staff member,' the ECSD statement read. 'This individual is no longer working at the school, will not be back in September and has been removed from any role within Edmonton Catholic Schools. 'The safety and well-being of our students is our first priority, and we are fully co-operating with police. Our priority right now is to ensure that our school community has the support and resources it needs during this time. Given the ongoing investigation, we are unable to share further details.' Talking to kids about social media safety Nikki Hawkey is the manager of investigative supports at the Zebra Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, which offers services to children and youth who have been impacted by abuse. She said that when a teacher is accused of such crimes, it has an impact on a lot of people. Story continues below advertisement 'I think it's something that is definitely hard to hear for a lot of parents obviously and kids,' Hawkey said. 'Those are trusted adults and you want to be able to send your kid to a safe space.' Hawkey suggested that parents continue to 'keep an eye on your kids.' 'Have open communication about what's going on at school,' she explained, adding that it is crucial that if a young person suffers abuse, they need to be told that it's not their fault. '(Tell them) that they didn't do anything wrong, and they're not going to be in trouble for reporting that kind of stuff.' Speaking broadly about online platforms being used as tools in the exploitation of young children, Church noted 'media or technology is a big part of our lives (and) our kids' lives, and these offenders know that.' Church said parents need to discuss online safety with their children throughout their childhood and adolescence. 'That conversation with your kids, regardless of their age, it's not a one and done,' she said. 'It is a constant conversation that evolves as their use of technology evolves. 'The internet's always updating. There's always something new out there.' –with files from Global News' Jaclyn Kucey and Kendra Slugoski Story continues below advertisement
