Tag: Fort MacMurray

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Alberta Breaking News Ft Mac

Child Pornography and Sexual Exploitation Charges Brought Against Former Commuter to Fort MacMurray

child pornography, Fort MacMurray, William Swanson

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.

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Breaking News Ft Mac

Clearwater Crescent Raid in Fort MacMurray Associated with Recent Spate of Shootings in the Area

Clearwater Crescent raid, Fort MacMurray

People in the downtown area may have been surprised recently by the Clearwater crescent raid in Fort MacMurray. The event took place on Thursday morning, and the raid was associated with the recent spate of shootings in the area. At approximately 10 am Thursday morning roughly a dozen officers who were heavily armed swarmed the Clearwater Crescent apartment complex, and police vehicles blocked access so that no one could enter the apartments during the raid. Many of the officers involved had carbine rifles, and they were wearing camouflage clothing and body armor. Around 30 minutes after the raid started 3 individuals were removed from the apartments and taken away in police vehicles. Another individual was taken from the apartments and placed in an ambulance.

The provincial RCMP detachment spokesperson could not confirm whether anyone was arrested during the Clearwater Crescent raid in Fort MacMurray, and she explained that people may be transported in a police vehicle without being placed under arrest. A news release from the RCMP stated that the police were not able to share operation details right now. RCMP Sgt. Josée Valiquette did say “However, we can say that the situation is under control and there is no concern for public safety.” In the last few months there have been a number of shootings downtown, and two were at the Clerwater Crescent apartments. Two additional shootings took place at the Morris Centre and Richmond Street. On May 16 one man was shot and killed at the apartments. On May 26, just 10 days later, another shooting at the same location caused injuries that proved fatal as well.

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Ft Mac

Downtown Shooting in Fort MacMurray Causes Death

Fort MacMurray, downtown shooting

A downtown shooting in Fort MacMurray has caused the death of the victim. On Tuesday May 26, at approximately 4 am, the RCMP responded to a call and found a shooting victim inside an apartment complex. The victim was transported to the hospital but police reported Wednesday evening that the 22 year old male had passed away. An RCMP spokesperson would not discuss the exact details about the death but an autopsy was performed and the death was ruled as a homicide. This is the second fatal downtown shooting in Fort MacMurray just in the month of May, and hopefully this burgeoning trend will not continue.

On May 16 of this year a downtown shooting in Fort MacMurray left a 35 year old man dead, and now the latest victim has died as well. Fort MacMurray is a good community, with many caring residents and hardworking people with families. The two shootings in May have caused concern that the rate of crime may be on the rise. So far the RCMP have not reported whether the two shooting deaths are related, and both are still under investigation.. The police have said that both of the downtown shooting incidents show that the victim was targeted, but so far that is the only factor that may link the incidents. Anyone who has any information on either shooting in Fort MacMurray is encouraged to contact the Crime Stoppers and tell what they know. Crime Stoppers can be contacted at the website http://www.crimestoppers.ab.ca/edmonton/ or by calling 1-800-222-8477.

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Alberta Ft Mac

Lying to Police Costs Fort MacMurray Man 15 Days in Jail

lying to police, Fort MacMurray

When 28 year old Chad Mason came into contact with a peace officer the Fort MacMurray man was wanted in Stony Plain, Alta.. Instead of being honest Mason ended up lying to police about his name. On Monday Mason entered a guilty plea in Fort McMurray Provincial Court. According to Crown Prosecutor Christine Gagnon told the judge that when Mason was stopped on Highway 63 the man gave the officer the name Chad Hills, and a birthday of December 16. When asked for the year that he was born the Fort MacMurray man became nervous. This made it obvious to the officer that Mason was lying to police, and the man eventually ended up admitting to the officers who he really was and also that he was wanted in another area.

Chad Mason from Fort MacMurray had warrants out for him in Stony Plain which originated from charges in November of 2014. Mason explained to the court that he had a job in the works and all he was trying to do was get there. Chad told the court “I was scared, I wanted to keep my job … wrong decision.” Crown Prosecutor Gagnon said that Mason had a lengthy criminal history, and his past charges have also included obstructing an officer. Apparently lying to police is a habit with the Fort MacMurray man. Mason is initially from Saskatchewan, and he earns a living as a labourer. Mason did express regret for the impact that his crimes have had on his family when he appeared by closed circuit from the Edmonton Remand Centre.

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Ft Mac

Chainsaw Used to Intimidate During Neighborhood Argument, Fort MacMurray Man Arrested

neighborhood argument, chainsaw, Fort MacMurray

A Fort MacMurray man has been arrested after a neighbourhood argument turned into a case of intimidation by chainsaw. The argument occurred last Wednesday evening, apparently over some noise coming from the property of the man who was eventually arrested and charged. This is not something that happens every day. In spite of the fact that the man only started the chainsaw and revved it up, and the alleged victim had no injuries and was not assaulted with the chainsaw, a crime still occurred according to Wood Buffalo RCMP spokesperson Cpl. George Cameron. The police report states that the argument between the two men escalated and the one male revved up his chainsaw in order to intimidate his neighbour. The chainsaw wielding bad neighbour was arrested at around 11 pm, and charges are pending.

Wood Buffalo Cpl. George Cameron explained why the Fort MacMurray man was arrested after the neighbourhood argument and chainsaw intimidation. Cameron said “Some neighbours weren’t getting along, it appears that one neighbour was making some noise so the other neighbour decided to equal the noise by starting up a chainsaw.” Cameron also explained that the charge of assault stems from the threat of violence involved, saying “Someone can be charged with assault simply just by raising their fist.” Let this be a lesson to everyone. You should always treat your neighbour with respect and you should never try to use intimidation by chainsaw. So far the names of the two neighbours involved in the dispute have not been named.

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Ft Mac

Islamic Community Mullticentre Project in Fort MacMurray Will be Largest in North America

Fort MacMurray, Islamic community multicentre

A new Islamic community multicentre in Fort MacMurray is expected to be the largest mosque and multicentre project in North America. The Muslim community of Fort MacMurray held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new and upgraded Markaz Ul-Islam Centre located in Abraham’s Land. The project involves 10 acres of land and is expected to cost $50 million. The entire project will include a mosque, a multipurpose hall, a recreation centre, an Islamic school, and a daycare. There will also be two new churches, one that is Catholic and one that is Protestant. Markaz Ul-Islam president Abdul Salaam Abdo said “You have proved to the world that multifaiths can live together and work together in harmony and with respect. We at Markaz Ul-Islam are proud to be a lead contributor to this partnership.”

The new Islamic community multicentre project in Fort MacMurray is necessary because of the growing and expanding population in the area. The original Markaz Ul-Islam centre in the downtown area was built in 1990 and is not sufficient for the Muslim community any more. The oilsands boom that drew large numbers of people to Fort MacMurray forced the original mosque to split up prayers into sessions, and even use the Holy Trinity High School gym at times to meet the need for more space. According to Fort MacMurray Mayor Melissa Blake “The greatest resource we have is not oil, it is in fact people. The strength of our local Muslim community, like other faith communities, definitely makes our community stronger and better.”