An Australian man, who was “grooming and luring” girls online, is facing multiple child pornography charges after an investigation conducted by Saskatchewan ICE (Internet Child Exploitation) unit.

He pleaded guilty to 56 charges of the 117 counts he was charged with.

The ICE unit began investigating on October 3, 2019 after a complaint from the parents of a 14-year-old girl in Regina. The parents said her daughter was being lured online and counselled for sexual touching through two social media apps.

Investigators identified an Australian youth care worker who was responsible and who the Australian authorities were unaware of. The ICE unit worked with the Australian Federal Police Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team who were then able to use the evidence gathered in Saskatchewan to obtain a search warrant in their country.

It resulted in the seizure of the offender’s devices. Many other international child victims were identified after authorities were able to analyze his tech devices.

The Saskatchewan ICE unit is comprised of investigators from the RCMP, Regina Police Service, Saskatoon Police Service, and Prince Albert Police Service.