Police charge man with several sexual offences involving teenage girls

Following an investigation by the Calgary Police Service Child Abuse Unit, with assistance from the Southern Alberta Integrated Child Exploitation Team, a 24-year-old man has been charged with multiple sexual offences, luring and child pornography, after he is believed to have met several underage female victims online and subsequently sexually exploited them.

In January 2024, police received reports that a teenage girl had met an unknown man online, and after agreeing to meet him in-person, was sexually exploited and assaulted. Upon the two meeting, they spent time in the man’s vehicle where he offered the victim alcohol in exchange for sexual acts.

The victim subsequently reported the incident to her mother, who then contacted police.

Through the investigation, five additional victims, ranging in age from 12 to 16 years old, were identified after disclosing similar incidents to police. In each instance, the suspect was unknown to the victims, but befriended them through apps such as Instagram and Snapchat, before arranging to meet. Again, the suspect would offer the victims items such as alcohol and marijuana in exchange for sexual acts.

As a result, Hammad SHAIKH, 24, of Calgary, has been charged with:

·         Five counts of sexual assault

·         Sexual assault while choking

·         Four counts of sexual interference

·         Five counts of sexual exploitation

·         Four counts of luring

·         Two counts of possession of child pornography

·         Making child pornography

·         Two counts of accessing child pornography

He will next appear in court on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. 

The victims are receiving support from the LUNA Child & Youth Advocacy Centre. 

The Calgary Police Service encourages parents, caretakers and guardians to review online safety tips with their children:

·         Be aware of who you are interacting with. Strangers online might not be truthful about their identity.

·         Never post or trade digital photos of yourself.

·         Never reveal personal information including your address, phone number or school.

·         Never agree to meet someone in-person who you have interacted with online.

·         Tell your parents if you feel uncomfortable or receive threating emails, messages or texts.

Anyone who has information in relation to this, or similar incidents, is asked to call the police non-emergency line at 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477

TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org

APP: P3 Tips

CA24020618/3444