A Canadian Armed Forces reservist member who works with youth has been charged with luring a child, following an investigation by the RCMP NT Internet Child Exploitation (NT ICE) unit.
Sixty-year-old Craig Routery a Warrant Officer with 1 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, stationed at Yellowknife, was arrested on July 8th, in Whitehorse, with the assistance of the Yukon RCMP Major Crime Unit.
While the investigation and charge are related to online offences, the nature of his employment places him in a position of trust and authority over youth.
At the time of his arrest, Routery was working at a youth training session at the Whitehorse Cadet Training Centre, RCMP stated in a release.
Routery’s employment with 1CRPG includes the Junior Rangers Program.
The NT ICE Unit began its investigation in March. ICE investigators discovered communication between a male and a youth in the Northwest Territories.
In addition to the arrest, on July 8th, NT RCMP ICE unit and the Yukon Major Crimes Unit executed search warrants in Yellowknife and Whitehorse.
Several electronic devices were seized, which will be examined for further evidence.
Routery was returned to Yellowknife and appeared before a Justice of the Peace.
He was subsequently released on Wednesday on several court-imposed conditions including no contact with anyone under the age of 16 years, not to attend a public park, swimming area, daycare, school, playground, public library or community centre where persons under the age of 16 are expected to be present.
He is also not permitted to continue any employment or volunteer in a capacity that involves being in a position of trust or authority towards a person under the age of 16 years. He is next set to appear in court on August 20th in Yellowknife.
The NT ICE Unit is continuing its investigation into this matter.
Given the opportunity for close proximity to youth through his employment, ICE suspects there may be additional victims, and encourages anyone with additional information to contact their local RCMP or police of jurisdiction or Crime Stoppers at p3tips.com.
Parents, guardians and adults in positions of authority should keep an eye out for indicators that a child or youth is being targeted and to report the incidents to their local police. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1.
