Terrace RCMP have arrested a local man on numerous charges related to the making, distribution and possession of child pornography.
Blair Cecil David Wells, age 36, is charged with eight offences including extortion, child luring, and making and possessing child pornography.
The arrest is the result of an ongoing investiggation involving the execution of three search warrants by the Terrace General Investigations Section (GIS). The warrants were completed with assistance from child exploitation units in B.C., Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba, as well as US law authorities, and led to the seizure of several electronic devices.
“The general investigations section does give these cases a lot of attention —if anyone is aware of anything like this that’s going on, don’t hesitate to call us. We take child offenses extremely seriously.”
Three other people were also arrested as part of separate and unrelated child pornography investigations by the Terrace RCMP’s GIS Unit, one of several local child pornography investigations conducted this year. Terrace RCMP Thursday delivered a blunt warning to anyone preying on children in the area.
“Individuals who prey on the innocent, the trusting nature of children, should be aware that as a result of working closly with other law enfrocement agencies around the country and around the world, predators will be apprehended.”
According to Statistics Canada crime data, there was 2,808 violations involving child pornography last year in the municipality of Terrace, roughly a five year average.
During the same month, In July, Terrace GIS arrested a man for child pornography offences and released him on a Promise to Appear in Court and an Undertaking.
On Sept. 18, a child pornography investigation led by the Terrace GIS team, resulted in the arrest of a Terrace man for offences related to possessing, distributing, and accessing child pornography. The investigation involved executing warrants in the Village of Queen Charlotte, Prince George and Terrace, during which numerous electronics were seized. The next day, the same man was arrested in Prince George for breaching no-contact with children conditions. He was held for court.
None of the charges laid against any of these individuals have been proven in court.
If you have information about crime contact the Terrace RCMP at (250)638-7400 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers by telephone at 1-800-222-TIPS, online atwww.terracecrimestoppers.ca.
quinn@terracestandard.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter