An Edmonton man was arrested after allegedly trying to arrange sex with an 11-year-old girl.
ALERT’S Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit said a man was arrested Wednesday when he thought he was meeting a woman and her 11-year-old daughter for sex.
In fact, he had been communicating online with an ICE investigator and her “daughter.”
ALERT said investigators were involved in online conversations with the suspect since December.
“The narrative has to reach a particular threshold for prosecution, that there would be a reasonable chance of conviction,” Staff Sgt. Stephen Camp explained.
“The narrative and discussion points, on this online discussion, is very clear, which led us to believe there was a risk to the community.”
Wesley Darrell Vander Leeuw, 43, was charged with making arrangements or an agreement to commit sexual offences against a child and making child pornography.
Bail was set at $500 Friday and there were a number of conditions set.
ALERT said Vander Leeuw has been involved in coaching youth soccer in Edmonton.
Officers said at this point there’s nothing to suggest any children were harmed, but they’re encouraging anyone with information about the case to contact police or Cybertip.
“This kind of behaviour is not specific to particular types of socio-economic classes or demographics,” Camp said. “It can go… everywhere, in all aspects of our lives.”
Mel Snihurowych, president of the Southwest United Sports Club, said Vander Leeuw started coaching with the club in September 2016. He came to the club after stints coaching in Twin Brooks.
Snihurowych said Vander Leeuw was the head coach for an under-10 boys team that has approximately 10 players on it.
He learned about the allegations Thursday night and said Vander Leeuw had passed a security check.
“Based on the information we had, we removed this coach as a coach for our club. We were informed [Friday] morning his valid security clearance was rescinded as well,” he said.
Snihurowych said he did not hear about any red flags about Vander Leeuw and there had been no concerns or complaints against him.
“Our purpose as a club is to ensure our kids have a positive experience. We’re shocked and saddened by this like everyone else,” he said.
He said the club will do a review of its security procedures and guidelines. It will also hold a meeting with parents before Monday.
Vander Leeuw has no criminal history.
His next court appearance is set for Feb. 10.
Comments