Posted by : Rita Sittler  On May 10th, 2024 10:01 am

      

A Medicine Hat man has been arrested following a joint investigation between ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation unit and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee.

The lengthy investigation concluded on April 25, 2024, when Tyler Clark was arrested at his home in Medicine Hat. The 38-year-old man was charged with online child luring and child sexual exploitation-related offences involving a Tennessee girl.

The suspect allegedly coerced the youth into sharing sexually explicit photos via multiple online chat applications while purporting to be a 13-year-old youth. The offences date back to 2021 when the victim was just 11 years old.

“There were over 7,000 messages exchanged between the suspect and the victim. We’re talking daily conversations that only stopped when it was discovered by the victim’s parent. This further underscores the need for parents to take a proactive role in understanding what their children are doing online,” said Staff Sgt. Mark Auger, ALERT ICE.

A search of Clark’s home led to the seizure of multiple computers and electronic devices, which are currently being analyzed by investigators. Medicine Hat Police Service helped with the search warrant execution.

Clark is charged with:

•              child luring;

•              making sexually explicit materials available to a child;

•              making child pornography;

•              possession child pornography; and

•              accessing child pornography.

“This arrest was only possible with the amazing responsiveness of the global network of like-minded Internet Crimes Against Children investigators. Together we transcended borders and remained diligent in our shared purpose of bringing justice to adults that are preying on our children,” said Det. Paul Lusk, ICAC Task Force.

Clark was released from custody on a number of court-imposed conditions to await his next court appearance scheduled for May 22, 2024.

For resources and help to recognize the signs of online child sexual exploitation, visit the ALERT website: alert-ab.ca/child-exploitation

Anyone with information this investigation or any child exploitation situation is asked to contact their local police, or to report their concern anonymously to Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-TIPS).

 

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Mike Tucker
Communications Director
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
780-509-3015