**** RCMP Release
RCMP charges Dartmouth man with child luring offences
The Nova Scotia RCMP Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Unit has charged a Dartmouth man in relation to a child luring investigation.
In October, officers began investigating a report that a 52-year-old man had communicated online with a youth for a sexual purpose.
On October 27, members of the Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Unit and RCMP Digital Forensics Services executed a search warrant at a residence on Viscaya Pl. Officers seized electronic evidence. Halifax Regional Police (HRP), the RCMP/HRP Criminal Investigation Division Integrated Internet Child Exploitation Unit, and RCMP Southwest Nova Major Crime Unit supported the search warrant execution.
As a result of the investigation, Matthew Gavin Smith has been charged with Luring a Child.
Smith was released by police on conditions and is scheduled to appear at Dartmouth Provincial Court on December 2.
Investigators believe additional victims may have been targeted online and are urging parents and guardians to speak with their children about online safety. Report any suspicious activity or communication to local police. Learn more about supports and resources from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection.
In Nova Scotia, it is mandatory to report suspected child sexual abuse and exploitation material. Anyone who encounters such material must report it to their local police or to Canada's national tipline: www.cybertip.ca. Failure to report may result in penalties under the Child Pornography Reporting Act.
