Saskatoon teacher faces child pornography, sex crime charges

ICE Unit charges Saskatoon high school teacher A Saskatoon high school teacher is facing allegations of sex crimes involving children, Angelina Irinici reports.

A Saskatoon high school teacher is facing charges following an investigation into the exploitation of children through social media.

Rhett Lundgren, 39, charged with two counts of arranging to commit a sexual offence against a child and one count of attempting to access child pornography, made his first appearance at Saskatoon Provincial Court Friday.

Lundgren works as a fulltime work education teacher at Walter Murray Collegiate and, according to the Saskatchewan Professional Teachers Regulatory Board’s public registry, holds an active, permanent teaching certificate. He's been with Saskatoon Public Schools since 2010, according to spokesperson Veronica Baker.

She told CTV News Lundgren has been “assigned to home with pay” and that the school division has launched its own investigation. Changes to his status as a teacher may occur depending on the outcome of the investigation and court proceedings.

A letter sent home to parents and caregivers at Walter Murray says the school division learned of the charges after Lundgren’s court appearance Friday morning.

“Saskatoon Public Schools will cooperate with Saskatoon police as the investigation continues. Mr. Lundgren has been instructed to not be on any Saskatoon Public Schools’ premises,” the letter states.

It goes on to say if caregivers have questions, concerns, or feel their child needs support, to contact the principal or superintendent.

Lundgren was arrested Thursday following an investigation by the Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation Unit.

The alleged offences occurred on or around Nov. 29, according to court documents. Lundgren used a computer to communicate and arrange a meeting with a child, the documents state.

The investigation into the alleged offences began Nov. 29, according to Saskatoon police.

Lundgren was released on a number of conditions following his court appearance. He cannot contact anyone under the age of 16 — with the exception of employment purposes — unless accompanied by an adult who is aware of the charges, and he can’t access the Internet.

Court heard his employment puts him in contact with children under the age of 16. His employer must be made aware of the charges.

As of Friday, he’s been assigned to stay at home with pay and has been instructed not to be on the property of any public school.

According to an Alberta news article from 2008, Lundgren worked as a teacher and football coach at Hunting Hills High School in Red Deer, and worked as a teacher on a reserve in northern Saskatchewan prior to working in Red Deer.

He played for the Saskatoon Hilltops in the 1990s and was inducted into the Saskatoon Sports Hall of fame as a member of the team when they won the 1996 Canadian Bowl, and graduated from the University of Saskatchewan.

Lundgren is scheduled back in court Dec. 20.

Read the full letter sent to parents and caregivers from Saskatoon Public Schools below:

Lundgren Letter to Parents by Saskatchewan Web on Scribd