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ALERT

Two men arrested in Red Deer and Saskatchewan following child exploitation investigation

Jul 3, 2019 | 5:46 PM

Police say a joint investigation involving the Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation Unit (Sask ICE) and the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ALERT ICE) resulted in the capture of two men and the rescue of two children.

On June 24, Sask ICE received information regarding two men accessing cloud-based child pornography, sharing child pornography and discussing, through a popular social media application, sexually assaulting children. Sask ICE started an investigation and shared its findings with ALERT ICE.

On June 26, Sask ICE and ALERT ICE respectively executed search warrants in Rocanville, Saskatchewan and in Red Deer. Numerous electronic devices were seized at several locations and the two men were arrested.

The two children are safe, according to police, and each province’s respective children’s services departments are involved in their care.

In Rocanville, ICE arrested a 35-year-old man and charged him with three counts of sexual interference, one count of agreement to commit a sexual offence against a child, and one count each of making, possessing, accessing and distributing child pornography. The man has been released from custody and is to appear in Regina Provincial Court on July 4.

In Red Deer, ALERT ICE arrested a 40-year-old man and charged him with two counts of making arrangements to commit a sexual offence against a child, and single counts of sexual assault, sexual interference, sexual exploitation, making, possessing, accessing and distributing child pornography, and incest. He remains in custody and is to appear in Red Deer Provincial Court on July 17.

Police say they will not be providing the names of the accused due to a court ordered publication ban.

Anyone with information about this case or any child exploitation situation is asked to contact their local police or to report their concern anonymously at www.cybertip.ca.

Sask ICE and ALERT ICE units would like to thank the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Regina Police Service, Moosomin RCMP and Red Deer RCMP for their valuable assistance during this investigation.