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Vol. 10, No. 45, Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Chipman man charged with child sexual exploitation Michelle Pinon Editor
A Chipman man has been charged with child sexual exploitation. Thirty-three-year-old Marc Sicotte is one of eight Alberta men who are facing child sexual exploitation charges following an intensive seven month investigation by members of the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT). ALERT officers found
100,000 photos and videos of child sexual abuse on 85 computers and electronic devices that were seized between September 2014 and March 2015. According to ALERT media spokesperson Mike Tucker, investigators say some of the victims in the photos are estimated to be as young as six-months-old and depict extreme sexual abuse. The operation focused on high level targets, added Tucker, that were
sharing and distributing vast collections of child sexual exploitation photos and videos across a variety of peer-to-peer file trading networks. The accused range in age from 17 to 60-yearsold and have been charged with several offences including: possessing, accessing, and making available child pornography. The other men charged are: Colin Penner, 60, of Sherwood Park, Luis Bexiga, Daniel Clarke-Ferr, Brad Drummond, Michael
Hilles, Eduardo Ramirez and Keith Vittie, all from Calgary. “At any given moment tens of thousands of images are changing hands,” pointed out Tucker. “Over the past four years, the number of cases ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) team have increased by 40 per cent.” The challenges facing law enforcement are daunting in size and scope, and ALERT must focus on the biggest offenders with the most
graphic content. Tucker said facilitating the sexual abuse is helping to create the demand. Child porn is very prevalent, and Tucker said the sex tourism and sex trafficking trade in Alberta is on the rise. “On a personal level it’s horrific to think kids are being victimized. It’s sad to think, but that’s the reality we live with.” Tucker said there has to be open dialogue between parents and children. “You have to talk about sexual abuse.”
He suggests there is a “no secrets” rule and to implement some type of code or pass word between parents and children. Tucker also recommended people go to the Canadian Centre for Child Protection’s website. There is a link titled: The door that’s not locked. If anyone suspects child sexual exploitation they are urged to contract police or go to cybertip.ca.
Thefts reported in Bruderheim
MICHELLE PINON PHOTO
Three-year-old Ceth Tchowsky-Henderson of Bruderheim poses for a picture by the antique pumper that was on display during the Bruderheim Fire Departmentʼs Centennial Celebration on Saturday, Sept. 5th. More coverage on Page 8.
Bruderheim Mayor Karl Hauch said there was a robbery in his garage the evening of Sept. 1. During his report to council on Sept. 2, Hauch said he would like representatives from the Heartland Citizens On Patrol and the Fort Saskatchewan RCMP to attend a council meeting, and made the verbal request to administration. Fort Saskatchewan RCMP also responded to a call for service in regards to a reported Theft of a Motor Vehicle that occurred in the Town of Bruderheim, AB. The theft occurred sometime between 12:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2015. The vehicle stolen is described as a
blue 1989 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z with a black car bra on the front end. The Fort Saskatchewan RCMP note that tips received from the general public have been very helpful in their ongoing investigations. As such, the RCMP would like to encourage anyone who may have any information about this incident, to contact Cst. SHORT of the Fort Saskatchewan RCMP.
Also, the RCMP would like to encourage the general public to continue to report any activity that they deem to be suspicious or of concern. To remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at (TIPS). If the information provided at Crime Stoppers is used to assist in an arrest or recovery of property, you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.
The stolen vehicle is a blue 1989 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z with a black car bra on the front end.