Sexual abuse investigation leads to incest charges laid against Alberta father

EXTENDED: ALERT newser on incest charges An Alberta father is facing incest and child-porn related charges following an ALERT investigation.

A sexual abuse investigation by the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team’s (ALERT) Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) has led to incest charges against an Alberta father.

ALERT said the ICE Unit discovered alleged sexual abuse as investigators examined a seized cell phone – the suspect was arrested on August 17.

The police investigation dates back to December 2015, and at first focused on cases of child pornography being uploaded online – the RCMP National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre had brought the case to ICE’s attention.

Investigators identified the suspect, and searched his home in May, 2016. At the time, the suspect was charged with multiple child porn-related offences – and investigators seized seven computers and electronic devices, and found they contained about 4,000 photos and 900 videos of child sexual exploitation.

While investigators analyzed the seized devices, they found a video which appeared to involve the accused committing sexual abuse against a child. Further analysis led investigators to believe the accused was sexually abusing his child in the video.

This led to the second arrest of the suspect in August, with help from RCMP members.

The suspect has been charged with incest, sexual exploitation, sexual assault – and more charges are being considered.

The accused has been released on bail under several conditions. He is prohibited from contacting the victim, and he’s not allowed to return to the home in a small town outside of Edmonton.

The child is receiving help from victim support services, ALERT said.

The accused is expected to appear in court September 15.