Latest news with #AlbertaLawEnforcementResponseTeam
Edmonton Journal
02-07-2025
- 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
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
Edmonton Journal
06-06-2025
- Edmonton Journal
RCMP arrest Olds resident for child pornography offences
Article content Olds RCMP, alongside the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team's Internet Child Exploitation unit, have arrested an Olds resident for child pornography charges. Following an investigation that started in late May, Olds RCMP and ICE executed a search warrant at a residence in Olds on June 3 around 9:30 a.m. As a result, 48-year-old Charles Landon was arrested and charged with four Criminal Code offences relating to child pornography, including its transmission and distribution, its possession, its access and its publishing.
Calgary Herald
06-06-2025
- Calgary Herald
RCMP arrest Olds resident for child pornography offences
Olds RCMP, alongside the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team's Internet Child Exploitation unit, have arrested an Olds resident for child pornography charges. Article content Following an investigation that started in late May, Olds RCMP and ICE executed a search warrant at a residence in Olds on June 3 around 9:30 a.m. Article content Article content As a result, 48-year-old Charles Landon was arrested and charged with four Criminal Code offences relating to child pornography, including its transmission and distribution, its possession, its access and its publishing. Article content Article content Landon was freed on a release order with a list of conditions after a bail hearing. He is scheduled to appear before the Alberta Court of Justice in Didsbury on July 7, 2025. Article content Article content Detachment commander of the Olds RCMP, Sgt. Jamie Day, said that Mounties remains fully committed to building safer communities by working alongside the community, and through investigative and enforcement efforts. Article content
