By Sam Borsato - @BorsatoSam on Twitter

Calgary Man Charged in Exploitation Case Against a Lethbridge Teen

Aug 25, 2016 | 9:55 AM

LETHBRIDGE – A 61-year old Calgary man has been arrested for alleged child exploitation against a Lethbridge teen.

ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) team, including members from Calgary Police, Lethbridge Police and RCMP, took Laurence Bouwmeester into custody at this home on August 23.

Police say he met a 14-year old boy online, and was involved in a sexual relationship him. It’s alleged that it escalated to physical sexual offences, and lasted over two years.

The investigation began with a complaint made to Lethbridge Police this past March, when the victim’s parents found explicit photos, messages and videos on his computer.

Constable Jason Richmond, from the Lethbridge Police Service, explained that a search of Bouwmeester’s house resulted in more than 68 electronic devices and computers being seized. ICE found a number of child exploitation photos, which led police to believe that there may be more than one victim involved.

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Bouwmeester is now charged with the following and is set to appear in court of September 2:

– Sexual assault

– Sexual interference

– Luring to make child pornography

– Luring for sexual assault

– Making child pornography

– Possessing child pornography

– Accessing child pornography

– Making sexually explicit material available to a child

“I’m not blaming any of the parents or the children, but one thing the parents need to be aware of is their child’s online friends, as well as their in-person friends. Every parent knows their kid’s friend they go to school with, but not necessarily the friends that they might be engaged in coversation with online. Just making themselves aware of that would decrease the chance of this happening,” said Cst. Richmond.

Anyone with information about this investigation, or any child exploitation offence, is encouraged to contact local police or cybertip.ca.