Okotoks residents warned against vigilante action in abuse case

RCMP are requesting residents avoid taking vigilante action after receiving reports of threats regarding a man charged with possessing and accessing child sexual abuse materials.

Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams' Internet Child Exploitation unit arrested a 35-year-old Okotoks man on May 26 after seizing several hard drives and computers from his home. Police discovered more than 500,000 child sexual exploitation photos and videos, one of the largest collections the unit has found.

Following his arrest, the man was released from custody. He is set to appear in court on Aug. 8.

Until then, police say he must not be within 50 metres of anywhere someone under 16 years old could be, including schools, daycares, playgrounds, public pools and libraries. He must also not communicate with anyone under 16 years old, or possess any devices with internet access or cameras.

On Thursday, Okotoks RCMP sent a follow-up news release saying they have received reports of threats and comments suggesting some people "may take matters into their own hands" after the man's release. Police said threats, intimidation, harassment or any form of vigilante action is unlawful and can risk public safety.

"Anything involving kids, people get very passionate and very emotional about these types of things," said Alberta RCMP spokesperson Gina Slaney. "This was brought to the detachment's awareness that a lot of people were making very threatening comments on social media. So we just wanted to get out ahead of that and make sure everybody knows that that's not the way this should be dealt with."

The Town of Okotoks also released a statement asking residents not to take matters into their own hands and emphasized that the public should allow police and the justice system to do their work.