Halton teacher, former hockey coach accused of luring girls online

Police allege 52-year-old from Burlington posed as 15-year-old boy

BURLINGTON — A 52-year-old Oakville elementary school teacher and former local girls hockey coach is accused of pretending to be a teenaged boy online to lure girls into sending explicit pictures.

Christopher Rollo of Burlington is charged with possession of child pornography, two counts of luring a child online and personation with intent. He was arrested Wednesday and was expected to appear in court Thursday.

Det. Sgt. Chris Newcombe of the Halton police internet child exploitation (ICE) unit said the investigation began in July with an anonymous tip.

Police immediately notified the Halton District School Board as Rollo was a teacher at Joshua Creek Public School in Oakville. He is not listed as a teacher this year.

The school board assigned Rollo home after hearing in August of the police investigation, Debra McFadden, executive officer of human resources, said in an email. He has not returned to teach with the board this school year, she added.

Rollo previously coached hockey with the Burlington Girls Hockey Club from 2010 to 2015, the Burlington City Rep Hockey Club from 2005 to 2006 and the Flamborough Girls Hockey Club from 2016 to 2017. Once police became aware of his coaching history they also immediately contacted these hockey clubs, Newcombe said.

Police allege the accused was posing as a 15-year-old boy using the name Cody Clarke and @clar- kie1833 to communicate on Facebook, Instagram and Omegle. His known victims are two girls between the ages of 12 and 15 who he met online and were “strangers” before he approached them.

“Basically he was soliciting images of underage females,” Newcombe claimed. “Our victims believed they were communicating with a 15-year-old youth.”

It is “possible” there are more victims and police encourage parents to talk to their kids.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Newcombe at 905-465-8965 or Det. Todd Martin at 905-465-8983.

To remain anonymous contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or haltoncrimestoppers.ca.