NWT RCMP are reminding the public about the risks associated with Internet use following a recent child luring conviction.
Twenty-seven year old Joshua Jeremick’ca was found guilty on May 30 of luring a child by means of telecommunication.
Between Dec. 30, 2016 and Jan.13, 2017, Jeremick’ca communicated with a victim under the age of 18 in a northern NWT community for the “purpose of facilitating the commission of an offence contrary to the Criminal Code,” court documents show.
Jeremick’ca communicated over Facebook with the victim and requested they exchange explicit photos.
Using online platforms to “entice youth under the age of 18 to meet for sexual acts or to help arrange sexual encounters is a crime,” stated RCMP in a news release issued Tuesday.
Following his conviction, NWT territorial court Judge Robert Gorin sentenced Jeremick’ca to nine months in jail followed by 15 months probation.
In the news release, RCMP didn’t reveal the man’s name and instead focused on educating the public about Internet safety following the “successful charge and conviction,” – the result of an investigation launched by the Mounties in January of last year.
“RCMP would like to remind parents and caregivers of the importance of teaching Internet safety for children and youth,” stated the news release, adding an adult communicating with a child in a sexual way need to be reported to law enforcement.
RCMP emphasized an number of ways parents can highlight the risks to their children in order to encourage safe online practices, including by reminding youths not everyone they engage with on social media or online is who they say they are.
Mounties also stressed the importance of children coming forward to police if someone online makes sexually suggestive messages, sends or asks for nude images, or asks to meet in person.
“We want any potential victims to know that if they believe they are being exploited, they can come forward and we can investigate the file thoroughly,” stated RCMP spokesperson Marie York-Condon.
“What’s important to take away from this case, is that we have the ability to investigate this type of file thoroughly, bring it to the court process, and gain a conviction, thereby punishing those who have preyed upon the young in the Northwest Territories,” added York-Condon.
Jeremick’ca was convicted of sexual assault in 2011.