Lac La Biche educational assistant charged in child pornography investigation

An educational assistant who worked for a school division northeast of Edmonton has been arrested and charged with having and sharing child porn.

The RCMP said Mounties in Lac La Biche were notified that a local man was believed to be in possession of child pornography and distributed it online.

Police said following a joint investigation between local officers and the RCMP Internet Child Exploitation Unit, police searched a home on Wednesday and arrested a suspect later in the day.

Eric Sprecker, 24, from Lac La Biche, was charged with possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography.

The Northern Lights Public Schools (NLPS) division said it had been informed by RCMP that one of its staff members has been charged with the offences.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

The division said the accused had been employed with the division as an educational assistant and out-of-school care worker at Vera M. Welsh Elementary School for two years but that is no longer the case.

Out of respect for the legal process and the privacy of those involved, NLPS said it would not comment further.

“We will be working closely with the school to ensure supports are available for students and staff who need them. The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff are always our top priorities and we are focused on providing them with the support they need at this time,” NLPS said in a statement.

Sprecker appeared before a justice of the peace and was released on bail with conditions. He is next scheduled to appear in court in Lac La Biche on Oct. 7.

The victim is not believed to be from the area, RCMP said.

Lac La Biche is about 200 kilometres northeast of Edmonton.

0:37 Bonnyville teacher accused of paying off student after sexual assault: Alberta RCMP

News of the arrest came on the same day RCMP also revealed a teacher with Northern Lights Public Schools had been accused of allegedly paying off a student to stay quiet about their inappropriate interaction(s) that have led to sexual assault and sexual interference charges. The teacher and E.A. worked at different schools in the division.