HALIFAX – Just one day after Nova Scotia RCMP announced they had laid charges of internet luring against Alexander John Ernst, additional young girls are coming forward to say they also had contact with the 29-year-old.
Ernst was arrested on February 6th and is facing charges of attempting to lure a person under the age of 16. Court documents obtained by Global News show the alleged offences occurred between December 1, 2014 and February 6, 2015.
The investigation began after a concerned parent notified police Ernst was allegedly contacting his 10 and 12-year-old daughters via social media. Once RCMP started to look into the case, they identified two other victims who had been chatting with the accused and made arrangements to meet with him in person. So far, police have identified six girls under the age of 16 from the Bridgewater area that Ernst had been in contact with.
“It’s tragically not uncommon across Nova Scotia that individuals aren’t using the internet simply for educational or entertainment purpose but for affairs nefarious to communication with children,” said Peter Dostal, Crown Attorney on the case.
A search warrant was executed at a Maitland Home last week. Investigators continue to comb through devices they found at the home, hoping to identify how many children Ernst was talking to.
“If there has been any contact with Mr.Ernst the authorities should be notified, especially if there is children having contact with him,” Dostal said.
Ernst has been a registered sex offender for nearly ten years, with prior convictions for accessing and possessing child pornography. This time, it is alleged he was attempting to lure the girls for a specific reason.
“The allegation in court today is for a sexual assault,” said Cathy Benton, the lawyer who is representing Ernst.
Investigators with the RCMP Internet Child Exploitation Unit say this particular case is unique. “We don’t often identify people in Nova Scotia who seemly seek out local children and that’s what we’ve found in this case,” said Cst. Laura Seeley.
The South Shore Regional School Board says they are working with police, and will assist any student who comes forward in connection with the case.
“Honestly I think those people live a couple of minutes away all the time, it’s when it comes out that people suddenly start to get worried about it,” said Kerry Eady, a parent and teacher at a local school. She has chosen not to allow her young daughters to use social media sites. “I don’t think that they’re ready developmentally like cognitively to understand the scope of social media, so my daughter won’t be accessing it until she’s in high school,” said Eady.
It’s anticipated additional charges will be laid against Ernst in the coming days. He will be back in court on February 24, 2015.
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