Halifax-area teacher charged in child luring investigation
A 33-year-old man has been charged in connection with a child luring investigation. Police say they believe there are other victims who were targeted online.
A high school teacher in the Halifax area has been charged with child luring and making sexually explicit material available to a child, according to a news release from the Nova Scotia RCMP. Police received information on October 30 that someone in Halifax had been communicating with a youth for a sexual purpose online. The individual was identified as a Cole Harbour man on November 6, and he was subsequently arrested during a traffic stop near his home on November 9.
A search warrant was executed at his residence, and more electronic evidence was seized. Thomas, who is 33 years old, has been charged with two counts of Luring a Child and Making Sexually Explicit Material Available to a Child. He has been released on conditions and is scheduled to appear in Dartmouth Provincial Court on December 16.
The RCMP is urging parents and guardians to speak with their children about online safety and to report any suspicious activity or communication to local police. The principal of Woodlawn High School in Dartmouth informed families about the arrest and placed the teacher on leave. The school is cooperating with the investigation and has made counselors available to support students.
HRCE spokesperson Lindsey Bunin confirmed that an employee is facing serious charges and is on leave, assuring that the safety and wellbeing of students is the highest priority.
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