City man faces luring, sex assault charges
Calgary man, 39, charged after two girls report separate incidents
Calgary police say a local man is facing sex-related charges involving children.
According to police, a 15-year-old girl met up with a man in south Calgary between January and February this year after making contact with him through a social media app called Whisper.
The man invited the girl to his home in Woodbine and provided directions via text message. Once she was at the house, police allege the suspect sexually assaulted the girl.
The teen reported the experience to police in April. While officers were investigating, another girl came forward to report a similar experience.
Police say in February, the second teen met with the accused, who identified himself with a different alias through the same app. The man invited the girl to his home. While the girl was at his house, police say the accused forced himself on the girl and allegedly sexually assaulted her.
The girl was again lured to his house in March when the man allegedly sexually assaulted her a second time.
In October, the teen reported the incidents to police. Police were able to determine the man’s real name and the victim identified the suspect through use of a photo lineup and his distinctive tattoos.
“These girls were lured and convinced to attend this gentleman’s residence,” said Staff Sgt. Melanie Oncescu with the Calgary police child abuse unit.
The teens are receiving support through the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre.
Oncescu said the accused, who was known to police, posed as someone younger on the app.
“It’s always concerning when adults are taking advantage of young girls,” she said.
Ian Patrick Wilson, 39, was charged on Aug. 30 with one count of sexual interference with a child under 16 years, one count of sexual assault and one count of luring via a telecommunications device.
Wilson was arrested and charged Nov. 16 in relation to the second investigation with two counts of sexual interference with a child under 16 years, two counts of sexual assault and one count of luring via a telecommunications device.
Police are issuing tips to parents to help their children stay safe online, including making sure they understand the apps they are using, knowing the age restrictions that exist for many social networking sites and establishing rules before giving kids access to a device.
Oncescu said it’s “incredibly important” for parents to have conversations with their children about what is safe communication, what apps are appropriate and what they share on social media.
“It’s challenging because I think anybody knows that every day a new app comes out for something and often kids are better on their devices than parents are, so it’s a matter of trying to keep on top of what kids are having access to,” she said.
.These girls were lured and convinced to attend this gentleman’s residence.