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Elementary teacher in Brocket facing child pornography charges

Jan 12, 2018 | 12:07 PM

LETHBRIDGE — An elementary school teacher in Brocket is facing child pornography charges following an investigation from the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit.

Mark Anderson, 44, was arrested on January 11 with the help of Pincher Creek RCMP, Piikani Nation RCMP and Lethbridge Police. He has been charged charged with possessing, accessing and distributing child pornography.

Anderson is listed as a Grade 4 teacher at Napi’s Playground Elementary School in Brocket on the school’s website, and was also involved in a various youth-oriented community programs on the Piikani Nation Reserve, such as minor sports and Scouts Canada.

The investigation started in July 2017 when the ICE unit received a referral from the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children regarding a social media user uploading child sexual exploitation materials, and only recently learned he is a teacher.

A number of computers and electronic devices were seized from Anderson’s home in Pincher Creek for forensic examination.

Anderson is scheduled to appear in court on January 30.

The investigation and charges are related to online offences, but ICE is encouraging anyone with information about the case to come forward and contact police or cybertip.ca.