Man charged with sexual assault of 13-year-old
A 37-year-old Lethbridge man is facing a number of sex offence charges after allegedly luring and assaulting a 13-year-old girl.
ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit says the man was arrested at his Lethbridge home on Feb. 22, and that a number of computers and electronic devices were seized.
Lethbridge Police and RCMP provided assistance on the investigation after information was received by police in September 2017. It was reported the accused was allegedly engaged in sexualized online chats with an underage girl.
ICE also believes nude photos were being exchanged.
ALERT alleges the suspect made deceptive arrangements to meet with the victim and enticed her away from her caregivers — actions that, under the Criminal Code of Canada, constitute abduction.
When the two met in person, the girl was sexually assaulted, ALERT says.
Gary Lippa is scheduled to appear in court on Friday on the following charges: abduction; child luring (x3); sexual assault; sexual interference; invitation to sexual touching; making child pornography; accessing child pornography; and possessing child pornography.
ICE is not aware of any other victims. However, anyone with information about this investigation or any child exploitation offence is encouraged to contact local police or www.cybertip.ca.