Saskatchewan ICE Unit charges North Battleford man with luring offences.
The Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit has charged a North Battleford man with luring and related offences. Joseph FARNELL, 44 years old, was charged on January 19th with Luring a Child, Invitation to Sexual Touching, and Obtaining Sexual Services for Consideration. The offences occurred between January 11 and January 15, 2023.
Members of the ICE Unit began an investigation into FARNELL’s activities and executed a search warrant at a residence in North Battleford. Electronic devices were examined and seized. FARNELL was released on numerous conditions and is scheduled to appear in court on March 13, 2023.
The Saskatchewan ICE Unit is made up of investigators from the Saskatchewan RCMP, Regina Police Service, Saskatoon Police Service, and Prince Albert Police Service. Their mandate is to investigate crimes involving the abuse and/or exploitation of children on the internet.
The public is encouraged to report suspicious online activities to Cybertip.ca, an online tipline for reporting the online sexual exploitation of children. Cybertip.ca is Canada’s national tipline for reporting the online sexual exploitation of children and is operated by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection.
The Saskatchewan ICE Unit encourages parents and guardians to take an active role in their children’s online activities and to be aware of the potential risks. To help protect children, parents and guardians are encouraged to use internet filtering software, establish rules for internet use, and to monitor their children’s online activities.
The Saskatchewan ICE Unit is committed to protecting children from sexual exploitation and encourages anyone with information about possible offences to contact their local police or Cybertip.ca.
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