An Edmonton school teacher and a music teacher have been charged with possessing child pornography.
The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) says their Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit opened an investigation after receiving a tip from the RCMP’s National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
The tip from the RCMP alleged that someone was sharing child sexual abuse materials online on the social media platform Kik. Additionally, the tip led investigators to a home in Edmonton, which was searched on Sept. 11.
During the search, officers found and seized computers and electronic devices within the home. Following decryption and analysis by forensic technicians, child sexual abuse materials were allegedly located.
As a result, police took two men who were sharing the home into custody and charged them on Sept. 16 and 18.
ALERT says 36-year-old Katz Dawson has been charged with possessing and accessing child pornography. He worked as a teacher at Lillian Osborne High School.
Additionally, 32-year-old Allan Nelson has been charged with the same offences. He offered music lessons at Fiddle & Fugue, which he operated out of his home.
Both have since been released with numerous conditions, including not having contact with anyone under the age of 16.
“While the investigation and charges are related to online offences, the nature of the men’s employment placed them in a position of trust and authority. ICE is encouraging anyone with information about this case to come forward and contact police,” said ALERT in a statement.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.