Canadian Armed Forces member charged with child luring in Cold Lake

On July 5, 2018, the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) charged a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) member at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Cold Lake, Alberta. The charges relate to a reported internet based incident on July 3, 2018.

Corporal Jean-Francois Paquette, a member of 4 Mission Support Squadron at CFB Cold Lake, faces six charges under the Criminal Code of Canada (CCC):

• CCC, Section 172.1 (1)(b) Luring a child under 16 years;
• CCC, S. 163.1(2) make/print/publish child pornography;
• CCC, S. 163.1(3) Distribute/sell child pornography;
• CCC, S. 172.2 (1)(b) Under 16 years agree through telecommunication to commit a sexual offence against child;
• CCC, S. 463/271 Attempted sexual assault on person under 16 years of age, and
• CCC, S. 463/151 Attempted invitation to sexual touching.

“I’m proud of the excellent work of our investigators in quickly responding to a reported incident of child luring. Allegations involving youth at risk are particularly concerning, and these charges reflect our ongoing commitment to safeguard our communities. I also wish to salute and thank the Alberta Integrated Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit, the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)‎ and local Military Police for their speedy and effective assistance with this case. Police services are united in combating all forms of sexual abuse.” – Lieutenant-Colonel Kevin Cadman, Commanding Officer, Canadian Forces National Investigation Service

Quick facts

In all cases, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The matter is now proceeding in accordance with the Provincial Court of Alberta under the civilian justice system.

The CFNIS is a unit within the independent Canadian Forces Military Police Group whose mandate is to investigate serious and sensitive matters in relation to Department of National Defence (DND) property, DND employees and CAF personnel serving in Canada and around the world.

CFNIS works in partnership with other police agencies regarding child related sexual offences. In this case, CFNIS was assisted by the Alberta Integrated Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit and Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)‎.