Vermilion RCMP, along with Kitscoty RCMP and the Kitscoty Crime Reduction Unit, arrested a Vermilion man in connection with separate child luring and assault investigations.
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On Dec. 2, police executed a search warrant at a residence in Vermilion following two separate complaints. The first, reported on Oct. 20, involved allegations of an adult engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a youth under 18.
The second, reported on Nov. 3, involved the assault of a male by the same suspect. During the search, officers seized evidence and three rifles.
Justin Reid, 41, a resident of Vermilion, faces multiple charges, including:
- Luring a child
- Sexual exploitation of a young person
- Aggravated assault
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm (three counts)
Reid appeared before a justice of the peace and has been remanded into custody. He is scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Wainwright on Dec. 4.
“These investigations have created a lot of rumours and misinformation on social media,” said Cpl. Brittany Pegg, acting detachment commander of the Vermilion RCMP.
“For the sake of the victims, we ask the public to remove any speculative and hateful comments online. Such comments can distress the victims and their families and may lead to criminal charges, including criminal harassment, uttering threats, extortion, assault, or defamatory libel. Parents should monitor their children’s online activity to prevent bullying behaviour.”
For more information on online safety and bullying prevention, visit RCMP.ca under Youth – Bullying & Cyberbullying and Public Safety Canada’s resources on bullying in Canada.
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