Russell man faces child porn, luring, abduction charges
Girls under the age of 16 were lured using online social networks, RCMP say
RCMP in southwestern Manitoba have charged a 20-year-old man with a number of charges that include luring girls over the internet, abduction and possessing child pornography.
The man from Russell, Man., was arrested by RCMP in Russell and Virden following two separate investigations involving the luring of girls under the age of 16 for sexual purposes, police said Thursday.
The girls were being lured via online social networks, RCMP said in a news release.
Russell RCMP arrested the man on Oct. 4 and charged him with luring minors over the internet for sexual purposes, sexual interference, sexual assault and abduction of a person under 16 years of age.
Five days later, Virden RCMP arrested the same man and charged him with luring minors over the internet for child pornography and possessing child pornography.
The man was released on strict conditions and has court dates set for Oct. 31 in Virden and Nov. 26 in Russell.
RCMP are asking people of all ages to be very careful with the use of social networks.
As well, parents should not be afraid to talk to their children about the potential dangers of interacting with people online, and they should monitor their children's online activities, police said.
Anyone with information related to the case, or anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a similar incident, is asked to call their local RCMP detachment or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).