Local man charged with several offences for alleged exploitation of girl in the U.S.

Following a lengthy investigation between ALERT, the American Internet Child Exploitation unit and the

Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, a Medicine Hat man has been charged with several online child luring and child exploitation-related offences.

Tyler Clark, 38, was arrested at his home on April 25 after the suspect allegedly coerced a 13-year-old girl from Tennessee to share sexually explicit photos via multiple online chat applications while pretending to be a 13-year-old youth.

Investigators allege Clark has been preying on the girl for more than two years and was in constant contact with the victim.

“There were over 7,000 messages exchanged between the suspect and the victim. We’re talking daily conversations,” said Staff Sgt. Mark Auger with ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation unit. “That only stopped when it was discovered by the victim’s parent. This further underscores the need for parents to take a proactive role in understanding what their children are doing online.”

“This arrest was only possible with the amazing responsiveness of the global network of like-minded Internet Crimes Against Children investigators,” said Det. Paul Lusk with the Internet Crimes Against Child Task Force. “Together we transcended borders and remained diligent in our shared purpose of bringing justice to adults that are preying on our children.”

A search of Clark’s home led to the seizure of multiple computers and electronic devices currently being analyzed by investigators.

Clark has been charged with making and accessing child pornography, possession of child pornography, child luring and making sexually explicit materials available to a child.

Clark has been released from custody on a number of court-imposed conditions. He is scheduled to appear in court May 22.