WARNING: The following article contains graphic content that some readers may find disturbing.
A 25-year-old man from Nevis, Alta. is facing 10 charges including making child pornography, careless storage of a firearm and cruelty to animals.
The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team’s (ALERT) Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit began investigating after someone uploaded child sexual exploitation material via a social media account.
A home was searched and a number of electronic devices were seized.
ALERT said investigators found “a significant amount of child sexual exploitation material and offences involving his pet dog.”
The dog was seized and taken to a local veterinary clinic.
“The dog’s been taken into foster care with an Animal Protection Officer and the investigators are working with the Calgary Humane Society to ensure the animal’s well-being,” ALERT Insp. Dave Dubnyk said.
ALERT said three “unsecured firearms” were also seized from the home in the hamlet 60 kilometres east of Red Deer.
Cris Marshall was arrested in the hamlet of Byemoor on Oct. 12. He has been charged with:
- Cruelty to animals
- Making bestiality
- Accessing child exploitation materials
- Possessing child exploitation materials
- Making available child exploitation materials
- Making child pornography
- Careless storage of a firearm (three counts)
- Possession of a prohibited weapon
Dubnyk said the making child porn charge relates to a “narrative being typed.” He said the images allegedly used appear to have been taken from the internet.
“We do not have anything to suggest there’s any local children involved,” he explained. “When I make reference to ‘making the child pornography,’ in this instance, it’s specific to preparing and sharing narrative. The making child pornography did not involve any local children we’re aware of. We do not believe the individual has access to any local children.”
He said if the investigation uncovers additional information and that changes, ALERT would let the public know.
Dubnyk explained the “making bestiality” charge relates to “any kind of sexual activity involving an animal.” He said in this case, the act is alleged to involve the accused’s pet dog and was recorded.
“It is very rare,” Dubnyk said of the charge. “In my 27 years, I personally have not ever been involved in an investigation involving bestiality nor have I been around an investigation.”
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact local police or cybertip.ca.
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