EDMONTON – Edmonton police have taken a man into custody following an investigation into disturbing reports of an alleged sexual assault against a six-year-old girl.
The allegation was made Sunday to the Zebra Centre’s Child Protection Section, after the six-year-old reportedly told her parents she had been sexually assaulted. The subsequent in-depth investigation, which involved a number of EPS detectives, has resulted in the arrest of 61-year-old William John Brons. He also goes by the first name of ‘Jack,’ and is a branch manager and sales representative with financial investment company, Primerica.
“I think what’s important is that, by far, in the majority of investigations that are conducted by the Child Protection Section, the perpetrator of the crime is very well known to the complainant and that’s the case in this situation,” said Staff Sgt. Rob Paton with EPS’ Child Protection Section. “He’s not a relative and he’s in no way related to the family, but obviously he is known to the complainant.”
Brons has been charged with two counts of sexual interference, two counts of sexual assault, and one count each of: invitation to sexual touching, providing sexually explicit material to a child, making child pornography and possessing child pornography.
Further charges are pending.
According to police, the charges relate to several incidents that are believed to have occurred between the end of August and as recently as last week, at a business in southeast Edmonton, as well as in the cities of Edson and Calmar.
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Investigators say the case has been emotionally challenging for officers. They say it’s important that parents listen to their children, and that the young girl at the centre of this investigation has shown a lot of strength.
“She’s an incredible young girl,” said Detective Richard Walton, with the Zebra Centre’s Child Protection Section. “She had support from her family, and she’s getting support from the Zebra Centre, and she will continue to do so for as long as it is needed.”
Anyone who has additional information about this ongoing case is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.
With files from Ross Neitz, Global News
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