ICE urges parents to be aware of online dangers after recent arrest

Calgary… ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) division is urging parents to continue having conversations about internet safety, following a recent investigation into the sexual assault of a Calgary teen.

In January 2024, ICE received information that a 22-year-old Calgary man allegedly used a social media app to coerce a 14-year-old into sharing sexually explicit photos. It is believed their online conversations lasted for several months and the two eventually met, during which the victim was sexually assaulted.

The alleged crimes were discovered by the victim’s mother when she examined her daughter’s phone.

“This is just one example of why it’s important for parents to know what their kids are doing online, who they’re talking to and what apps they’re using,” said Constable Heather Bangle, ALERT ICE. “As a parent, you have every right to keep an eye on your kids and make sure they’re safe.”

ALERT arrested the suspect at his home with assistance from Calgary Police and the RCMP.

Several devices were seized, including a mobile phone. Forensic investigators were able to identify a second victim the suspect had spoken to.

ALERT was charged on July 10, 2024 Steven Meier-Araya22 years old, with the following:

• luring a child through telecommunications x2;
• luring a child through telecommunications x2;
• sexual abuse;
• sexual interference;
• invitation to sexual touching x2;
• make child porn x2;
• access child pornography; and
• possess child pornography.

Meier-Araya has been released from custody subject to a number of court-imposed conditions and awaits his next court appearance on August 23, 2024.

“Once your child is old enough to have a device in their hands, you should have conversations about safety and privacy, what’s appropriate, what’s not, and what to do if something does happen,” Bangle said.

If parents or trusted adults find themselves in a similar situation, Bangle advises taking screenshots of the conversations and reporting the user to the app.

Last year, ALERT saw a record number of child sexual exploitation investigations with 3,815 cases in the province, a 27% increase from the previous year.

“There are so many different apps and they are constantly changing, but if it’s a platform that kids are on, you can be sure there are predators out there,” she adds.

Visit the ALERT website for tools and assistance in recognizing the signs of online child sexual exploitation.

Anyone with information about this investigation or a child exploitation situation is asked to contact their local police or report their concerns anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Created and funded by the Government of Alberta, ALERT brings together the province’s most advanced law enforcement resources dedicated to combating serious and organized crime.