7 Calgarians arrested in child sexual exploitation case
Posted Jun 28, 2023 9:21 am.
Last Updated Jun 28, 2023 7:37 pm.
Eight people, including seven from Calgary, have been arrested following an investigation into child sexual exploitation.
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) said Wednesday that Operation ICE Storm 5 was launched in April, with a focus on “high-level targets” that were sharing and distributing “vast collections” of child sexual exploitation materials via peer-to-peer file sharing networks.
The agency explains the operation prioritized suspects with the largest collections and some of the most graphic content.
Close to one million photos and videos of child sexual exploitation have been identified, it added.
More than 35 computers and other devices were seized, leaving terabytes of data for forensic techs to analyze.
As a result, authorities have arrested Claudio Foglia, 60, of Calgary; Warren Flemming, 40, of Calgary; Craig Drumgold, 49, of Calgary; Tyler Sartison, 54, of Calgary; Derek Eichele, 59, of Calgary; Thomas Weatherhead, 51, of Calgary; Jesse Carlson-Lepage, 35, of Calgary, and Chris Jenkins, 31, of Coalhurst, Alta.
Investigators don’t believe any of the victims are from Alberta, or that any “hands-on offences” took place.
Anyone with information about this investigation or any other child exploitation offence is encouraged to contact police or cybertip.ca
The Calgary Police Service, Lethbridge Police Service, Medicine Hat Police Service, Canmore RCMP, and Coalhurst RCMP assisted with the operation.
