A 61-year-old Edmonton man has been arrested in Victoria, B.C. after police said a weeks-long investigation concluded he was intending to sexually abuse a five-year-old child.
Brian Bandura has been charged with making child pornography and agreeing or arranging to commit a sexual offence against a child.
According to the Victoria Police Department, Bandura was arrested when he arrived in the B.C. capital from out of province.
Victoria police alleged its Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) investigator became aware Bandura was intending to commit a crime. They added it “was not a random event” and that the public was not at risk.
Police said they were unable to provide court information on Bandura but CHEK News reported he is scheduled to make his next court appearance in Victoria on Wednesday.
According to police, the charges Bandura is facing are connected to allegations spanning from April 6 to May 27.
On May 30, RCMP in Golden, B.C. issued a news release after a Brian Bandura from Edmonton was reported missing after “failing to contact family for a few days while travelling to Victoria.” Mounties said he was last seen in Golden on May 26.
On May 31, police said Bandura had been located.
Victoria police were unable to confirm whether or not the accused is the same person reported missing in Golden. Global News has contacted the RCMP to determine whether or not there is any connection.
-With files from Sarah Kraus