On Monday, May 14, 2018, police were contacted by a citizen who located a phone at the Clareview Transit Station. The citizen reported the lost phone to Northeast Division and patrol officers made attempts to identify the owner of the phone.
Upon further investigation, police found evidence of child pornography on the device and commenced an investigation.
A search warrant was later conducted at the suspect’s residence and several items were seized for further investigation.
The 28-year-old male suspect is charged with sexual assault, sexual interference, making child pornography, accessing child pornography and possession of child pornography.
The Edmonton Police Service is not providing the suspect’s name in order to protect the identity of the victim. The Zebra Child Protection Centre is also providing support and assistance to the victim.
“We are grateful for the citizen who turned this phone into police, as we believe they ultimately helped us put a stop to this serious child abuse,” says Detective Aubrey Zalaski, with the EPS Child Protection Section.
“Child exploitation is a very grievous crime and in many circumstances, we rely on the public’s help to hold suspects accountable,” says Zalaski. “Anyone who suspects a child is being abused or exploited should contact police immediately, under any circumstance. We also encourage anyone who comes across child pornography, to report it.”
The arrest was made following a collaborative investigation between the Edmonton Police Service’s Child Protection Section, ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit and the Zebra Child Protection Centre.
Anyone who has information about this crime is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.
from Media Releases https://ift.tt/2HbuKI8
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