Child pornography charges are up: ALERT
By Medicine Hat News on April 22, 2021.
The province’s integrated police unit is reporting 24 individuals charged with child pornography allegations in the first quarter of 2021 – including two men from Medicine Hat. The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team says the latest slew of charges comes during a record number of cases over the 2020-2021 fiscal year, which topped 2,100. The 24 individuals, charged between the beginning of 2021 and the end of March, are not connected but do represent a substantial increase in child exploitation allegations believed to be caused by an increase in online activity during the pandemic, according to ALERT. Among the 24 suspects from across the province are Christopher Hoffner, 34, and Richard Westland, both from Medicine Hat. 5-4
