Red Deer RCMP arrest two with drugs and guns in traffic stop

Red Deer, Alberta – Red Deer RCMP arrested a man and a woman after a late night traffic stop on October 10 led to the seizure of two firearms, methamphetamine and drug trafficking paraphernalia; the pair faces 62 charges.

At 11:30 pm on October 10, a member of the Red Deer RCMP traffic unit was on patrol in the Highland Green neighbourhood and located a suspicious vehicle in an alley. As police approached, the vehicle came to a stop in a parking lot and the male driver and female passenger attempted to walk away from the scene. They were detained by police without incident. In a subsequent search of the vehicle, RCMP seized a loaded handgun and a loaded rifle which had been stolen during residential break-ins in Blackfalds and Sylvan Lake, other weapons including knives, a hatchet and multiple cans of bear spray, what is believed to be methamphetamine, cash seized as proceeds of crime, items consistent with drug trafficking, and large amounts of stolen identification.

RCMP have sworn a number of criminal charges against the pair and continue to investigate the circumstances around the various pieces of stolen identification.

“The Red Deer RCMP Pinpoint crime reduction strategy involves every Red Deer unit actively applying targeted attention to crime hot spots, to prolific offenders and to public safety,” says Inspector Gerald Grobmeier of the Red Deer RCMP. “This duo faces 62 charges in total as a result of traffic enforcement efforts to help keep Red Deer as safe as possible on all levels of policing.”

31 year old Michael Onischuk was on numerous weapons prohibitions at the time of his arrest; he faces the following 50 charges:

CDSA 5(2) – Possession for the purpose of trafficking
Criminal Code 355(a) – Possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000
Criminal Code 92(2) – Possession of restricted firearm without licence
Criminal Code 92(1) – Possession of firearm without licence
Criminal Code 86(1) – Careless use/ storage/ transportation of firearm X 2
Criminal Code 91(2) – Possession of prohibited weapon X 3
Criminal Code 95 – Possession of loaded firearm
Criminal Code 94(1) – Possess of restricted firearm in a vehicle
Criminal Code 96(1) – Possession of firearm obtained by crime X 2
Criminal Code 117.01(1) – Firearm or weapon possession contrary to prohibition order X 36
TSA 94(2) – Drive while unauthorized

Onischuk was remanded to appear in court in Red Deer on October 12 at 9:30 am.

29 year old Chelsey Praski-O’Connor faces the following 12 charges:

CDSA 5(2) – Possession for the purpose of trafficking
Criminal Code 355(a) – Possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000
Criminal Code 92(2) – Possession of restricted firearm without licence
Criminal Code 92(1) – Possession of firearm without licence
Criminal Code 86(1) – Careless use/ storage/ transportation of firearm X 2
Criminal Code 91(2) – Possession of prohibited weapon X 2
Criminal Code 95 – Possession of loaded firearm
Criminal Code 94(1) – Possess of restricted firearm in a vehicle
Criminal Code 96(1) – Possession of firearm obtained by crime X 2

Praski-O’Connor was remanded to appear in court in Red Deer on October 12 at 9:30 am.

Lloyd Lewis

www.todayville.com

President Todayville Inc., Honorary Colonel 41 Signal Regiment, Board Member Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Award Foundation, Director Canadian Forces Liaison Council (Alberta) musician, photographer, former VP/GM CTV Edmonton.

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Alberta

Three Calgary massage parlours linked to human trafficking investigation

Published on April 30, 2024

Todayville

News release from the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT)

ALERT’s Human Trafficking unit has searched and closed three Calgary massage parlours. A year-long investigation has linked the businesses and its owner to suspected human trafficking.

ALERT arrested Hai (Anna) Yan Ye on April 16, 2024 and charged the 48-year-old with advertising sexual services, drug offences and firearms offences. The investigation remains ongoing and further charges are being contemplated.

Ye was linked to three commercial properties and two homes that were allegedly being used for illegal sexual activities and services. The massage parlours were closed following search warrant executions carried out by ALERT, the Calgary Police Service, and the RCMP:

Seagull Massage at 1034 8 Avenue SW;
128 Massage at 1935 37 Street SW; and
The One Massage Centre at 1919 31 Street SE.
1100-block of Hidden Valley Drive; and
3100-block of 12 Avenue SW.

As result of the search warrants, ALERT also seized:

$15,000 in suspected proceeds of crime;
Shotgun with ammunition; and
Various amounts of drugs.

“We believe that these were immigrants being exploited into the sex trade. This has been a common trend that takes advantage of their unfamiliarity and vulnerability,” said Staff Sergeant Gord MacDonald, ALERT Human Trafficking.

Four suspected victims were identified and provided resources by ALERT’s Safety Network Coordinators.

ALERT’s investigation dates back to February 2023 when a tip was received about suspicious activity taking place at the since-closed Moonlight Massage. That location was closed during the investigation, in December 2023, when the landlord identified illegal suites on the premises.

The investigation involved the close cooperation with City of Calgary Emergency Management and Community Safety, Alberta’s Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) team, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and the RCMP.

Ye was released from custody on a number of court-imposed conditions.

Anyone with information about this investigation, or any case involving suspected human trafficking offences, is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or the Calgary Police Service non-emergency line at 403-266-1234.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.

Alberta

Principal at Calgary Elementary School charged with possession of child pornography

Published on April 29, 2024

Todayville

News release from the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT)

Calgary school principal charged

A Calgary school principal has been charged with offences relating to child sexual abuse materials following an investigation by ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation unit.

ICE charged Bruce Campbell on April 16, 2024 with possessing and accessing child pornography. The 61-year-old man was employed as a principal at Sacred Heart Elementary School in Calgary.

“Currently we believe these offences are solely related to online activities, but can appreciate how parents and students would be shocked and concerned about these charges,” said Staff Sergeant Mark Auger, ALERT ICE.

Campbell allegedly uploaded child sexual abuse materials via Skype and ALERT was notified via the RCMP’s National Child Exploitation Crime Centre in January 2024.

Campbell’s Calgary home was searched and a number of phone and computers were seized. A preliminary forensic analysis of the seized devices found child sexual abuse materials on his work-issued cellphone.

While the investigation and charges are related to online offences, the nature of Campbell’s employment placed him in a position of trust and authority. ICE is encouraging anyone with information about this case to come forward and contact police. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact local police or Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-TIPS).

Campbell was released from custody on a number of court-imposed conditions, and is awaiting his next scheduled court appearance on May 10, 2024 in Calgary.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.