A joint investigation between the Victoria Police Department and the Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit in Alberta has resulted in a number of child pornography charges against a civilian employee with the Edmonton Police Service.
The investigation began in February when the suspect allegedly engaged in sexually explicit online conversations with an undercover investigator with the Victoria police and attempted to arrange for sex with a child.
The Victoria officer determined the suspect was based in Edmonton and passed the information onto the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team’s (ALERT) ICE unit, where the man’s identity was soon learned.
Police searched the man’s southeast Edmonton home and seized a number of computer and electronic devices. Aaron Rothwell was arrested in a vehicle leaving the residence.
According to police, the 41-year-old worked in an administrative capacity at the Edmonton Police Service and had no contact with the public.
Rothwell has since been charged with agreement to commit a sexual offence against a child, making child pornography and distributing child pornography. He was released on bail with a number of conditions and will make his first court appearance on April 26.
ICE currently has no information to suggest Rothwell offended on any children, but are encouraging anyone with information about the case to come forward and contact police as the investigation continues.
editor@vicnews.com