Gary Lippa. (Gary Lippa on Facebook)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge man pleads guilty to child porn, sexual assault, child luring

Feb 19, 2020 | 10:44 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – An anticipated trial for Gary Lippa, 38, took an unexpected turn in Lethbridge Court of Queen’s Bench.

He took to the stand on Wednesday, February 19.

Originally, this was supposed to be a judge and jury trial that would decide on six offences:

• 1 – Possession of child pornography
• 2 – Accessing child pornography
• 3 – Making, printing, and publishing child pornography
• 4 – Luring a child
• 5 – Sexual contact with a child
• 6 – Sexual assault

Instead, Lippa and his defense attorney Wade Hlady entered guilty pleas to counts three, four, and six. Hlady re-elected to have a trial by judge alone, which was granted.

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LNN confirmed with Crown Prosecutor Lisa Weich that this does not, in fact, mean that there will be another trial. The judge will proceed to sentencing on counts three, four, and six, and following sentencing, the other three counts will likely be withdrawn.

Lippa was arrested by the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) on February 22, 2018, in his home.

Several computers and electronic devices were seized.

ALERT’s Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) alleges that Lippa engaged in sexual online chats with a 13-year-old girl and that nude photos were exchanged.

They claim that when the two met, he sexually assaulted her.

It is expected that the court will dismiss the jury Wednesday afternoon and return later with an Agreed Statement of Facts.

Note: This story has been updated to add clarity to the matter of the judge-alone trial.