Additional charges have been laid against Imesh Ratnayake, 21, of Morinville. (Photo: ALERT)

By David Opinko/LethbridgeNewsNOW

More sex-related charges against Alberta man, believed to be up to 100 youth victims

Dec 20, 2022 | 3:41 PM

MORINVILLE, AB – The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) has provided a significant update for its investigation into an Alberta man.

In July 2022, Imesh Ratnayake, 21, of Morinville, was charged with 10 counts including sexual assault, luring a child, and a variety of offences relating to child pornography. ALERT alleges that he met the youths online and lured them into performing sexual acts.

ALERT says in an update on Dec. 20 that they now believe there could be as many as 100 underaged victims.

ALERT Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit Sgt. Kerry Shima says the investigation has been evolving since last summer.

“ICE Forensic Technicians, our Criminal Analyst and investigators have discovered thousands of videos and images that depict upwards of potentially 100 additional, unidentified victims of child luring and sexual assault,” says Shima. “As a result of the ongoing investigation, Mr. Ratnayake was arrested for offences he is alleged to have committed against previously identified children in the Morinville area in the fall of 2021.”

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After initially being released from custody in July, Ratnayake was re-arrested on Dec. 9.

Another 18 charges have been laid including eight counts pertaining to child pornography, six counts of luring a child, and one count each of sexual assault, sexual interference, uttering threats, and failing to comply with a release order.

According to ALERT, it is believed that Ratnayake used several Snapchat profiles and may be known to his victims under the user names “islandsauce0129,” “monked.ruffy,” or his pseudonym Matt Wintoni, or “mattwintoni.”

ALERT ICE is looking to speak with potential victims and witnesses. Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to call their local police service, Edmonton Police Service, or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

ALERT says 48 per cent of tips submitted to Cybertip.ca involved victims between the ages of 14 and 17, and approximately 45 per cent of luring incidents happened on Snapchat, Facebook, Messenger or Instagram.

More information about child exploitation, how to prevent it, and what to do if you or someone you know is victimized, go to the ALERT website.