Man arrested and charged with child exploitation offences after joint investigation with US Law Enforcement

B.C., West Shore, Integrated Child Exploitation Team

2024-05-27 12:53 PDT

File # 2023-16907

 A Langford man has been arrested and charged with child exploitation offences following a joint proactive investigation by the BC RCMP Integrated Child Exploitation Unit (BC ICE), Homeland Security Investigations and West Shore RCMP.

In September 2023, the British Columbia Integrated Child Exploitation Unit (BC ICE) received information from U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) regarding a suspect believed to be in British Columbia allegedly participating in child exploitation offences on a social media application. BC ICE immediately launched an investigation and identified a male suspect who allegedly lured three female youth victims online and exploited them, while making child sexual abuse material of them and making the media available on the internet for others to see.

In January 2024, BC ICE and West Shore RCMP executed a search warrant at a residence in Langford and a male suspect was arrested. In May 2024, the BC Prosecution Service approved seven charges under the Criminal Code against Jae Alexander Hegan, a 31-year-old man from the Langford area:

• One count of making or publishing child pornography, contrary to section 163.1(2)
• One count of making child pornography available, contrary to section 163.1(3)
• One count of possession of child pornography, contrary to section 163.1(4)
• One count of accessing child pornography, contrary to section 163.1(4.1)
• One count of making sexually explicit material available to a person under the age of 16, contrary to section 171.1(1)(b)
• Two counts of child luring, contrary to section 172.1(1)(b)

Following his arrest, Hegan was released on a number of protective conditions, including those governing his access to the internet and children under the age of 16.

"Online child exploitation poses a grave threat to the well-being of our youth, and this case highlights the importance of cross-border cooperation in combating these crimes. We recognize the dedication and collaboration investigative units across Canada and the United States have, to work tirelessly together to identify, arrest and charge online predators, states Staff Sergeant Natalie Davis of BC ICE. "Predators are online and accessing our youth at home, in the privacy of their bedrooms. It is important for adults to have conversations with the youths in their lives about how to stay safe online.

The investigation remains ongoing. No further information will be released as the matter is now before the court.

Released by:

Email: Solana.Pare@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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