One of two Calgary men arrested in a massive worldwide child pornography ring two years ago was sentenced to seven years in jail Friday.
Forty-two-year-old Kevin Owad was arrested in “Project Spade” along with 300 others from around the world.
It’s alleged he shared tens of thousands of child porn files.
After the national news release, a male victim of Owad came forward in Calgary.
READ MORE: Calgarians among hundreds arrested in child porn investigation
Owad was later convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor and sexual assault.
Court heard he assaulted the boy between 800 and 1,500 times over a two-year period. He allegedly touched the boy while he slept three to four times each week, and three to four times on those days.
Owad was in a position of trust over the child.
The victim continues to struggle with the impact of the abuse and continues to seek therapy.
“He still struggles daily with post traumatic stress disorder…I’m sure his testimony and trial reliving all of those factors really didn’t help the situation,” Crown prosecutor Carolyn Ayre said.
Owad claims he was sexually assaulted as a child himself, by a volunteer with “Uncles at Large”.
His lawyer, Jeinis Patel, said he is seeking help.
“He’s committing to proceeding with treatment,” Patel said. “What that would ultimately be is entirely up to the correctional system at this point, and on the issue of remorse, I can tell you my interactions with him—he’s genuine in terms of what he said today.”
Owad told court he was hoping the victim would be attending so he could apologize.
“I’m hoping I can get help. I’m sorry for everything,” he said.
After credit for time served, Owad has just under six years left in his sentence.
READ MORE: Retired U of A professor among hundreds arrested in international child porn investigation
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