A former commuter to the Fort MacMurray area has been charged for possessing child pornography and for sexual exploitation, and there are numerous charges pending against the suspect. In March of 2015 police became aware that 36 year old Edmonton resident and Fort MacMurray commuter William Swanson was alleged to have shared child pornography online using the Internet while he was at a work camp situated close to Fort MacMurray. A spokesperson for the police could not give an exact date for the incident and the investigation is still ongoing. Police are asking that anyone who was victimized by Swanson come forward, and this includes any victims who may be located in or near Fort MacMurray. Swanson s also charged with offenses related to luring a young girl who was underage for sexual exploitation purposes by pretending he was a professional photographer.

In addition to the child pornography offenses while at the Fort MacMurray work camp police say that William Swanson met a 16 year old using an advertisement that the girl posted on a website. Swanson posed as a professional photographer, even having the teen sign fake contracts and then taking nude photos of her over a number of photo shoots and meetings. According to ALERT spokesperson Mike Tucker “He was very sophisticated in drawing up contracts that (the victim) thought were supposed modeling contracts. These types of individuals will prey on any insecurities or ambitions of these victims to try to get what they want.” Anyone who knows anything about William Swanson or his activities should contact law enforcement.