EPS Civilian Employee Arrested by Internet Child Exploitation unit

Edmonton… A civilian employee of the Edmonton Police Service has been arrested by ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation unit.

Aaron Rothwell, 41, was arrested on April 7, 2017 as the result of a joint investigation by ICE and Victoria Police Department. Rothwell is charged with agreement to commit a sexual offence against a child, making child pornography, and distributing child pornography.

The investigation began in February 2017 as the result of a proactive initiative by the Victoria Police Department’s own ICE officer. The suspect had allegedly been engaged in sexually explicit online conversations with an undercover Victoria Police investigator and the suspect had attempted to arrange for sex with a child.

Once Victoria Police determined the suspect was based in Edmonton, the information was forwarded to ICE and the suspect’s identity was learned. The suspect’s southeast Edmonton home was searched and a number of computer and electronic devices were seized. Rothwell was arrested in a vehicle leaving the residence.

Rothwell worked in an administrative capacity at the Edmonton Police Service and had no contact with the public.

Rothwell was released on bail and has to abide by a number of court-imposed conditions, including not to possess any electronic device, not to be found within 100 meters of a public facility where children may be present, and not to be in the company of any children. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance on April 26.

Currently ICE has no information to suggest he offended on any children but are encouraging anyone with information about this case to come forward and contact police. Anyone with information about this investigation, or any child exploitation offence is encouraged to contact local police or cybertip.ca.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime. Members of Alberta Sheriffs, Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, Lethbridge Police Service, Medicine Hat Police Service, and RCMP work in ALERT.