A 31-year-old male from Coalhurst is facing charges after an ALERT Internet Child Exploitation investigation.
The Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) team started an investigation, also known as Operation ICE Storm 5, in April of this year and focused on high-level targets that were sharing and distributing various collections of child sexual exploitation materials by using peer-to-peer file sharing networks.
Suspects were prioritized by the largest collection and most graphic content. Nearly one million child sexual exploitation photos and videos were identified, with more than 35 computers and electronic devices seized.
Eight suspects were arrested and are each facing charges including possession of child pornography, access child pornography, and make available child pornography. Seven of the suspects are from Calgary ranging between 35 and 60 years old, with Chris Jenkins, 31, of Coalhurst also arrested.
Operation ICE Storm 5 received assistance from various police agencies including Calgary Police Service, Lethbridge Police Service, Medicine Hat Police Service, Canmore RCMP and Coalhurst RCMP.
Investigators do not believe that any of the victims were from Alberta or that any of the hands-on offences took place here.
