Multiple ‘high-level’ arrests in Alberta child pornography investigation: ALERT

A stock photo of someone using a laptop. (Pexels/Pavel Danilyuk)

Seven people are facing child pornography charges after an Alberta investigation focusing on “high-level” targets allegedly distributing “vast collections” of child sexual exploitation materials.

“We were targeting high-volume sharers and distributers of child exploitation and abuse material, predominantly though peer-to-peer file sharing networks,” Staff Sgt. Mark Auger said

“That’s what made them the high value, was the amount of images being shared.”

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The investigation by ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit was launched in June 2025.

Through the course of the investigation, ALERT seized more than 40 computers and electronic devices, resulting in forensic investigators discovering more than 405,000 images and 11,000 videos.

Seven suspects were arrested in Calgary, Lethbridge and Red Deer between June and August, including:

• David Swann, 37, of Calgary;
• Terry Beaudette, 55, of Calgary;
• Rowan Bachand, 42, of Lethbridge;
• Anthony Klassen, 40, of Calgary;
• Jason Leone, 51, of Red Deer;
• Jeremy Martinuk, 42, of Calgary; and
• Cheuk Fai Liu, 26, of Calgary.

ALERT says each faces charges of possession of child pornography, access child pornography and making child pornography available.

“An operation like this highlights the amount of data our unit needs to comb through,” Auger said. “One of the devices seized held more than 300,000 images.”

At this point of the investigation, ICE investigators do not believe any of the victims are from Alberta, or that any hands-on offences have taken place.