CANMORE – A Canmore man was arrested earlier this month and charged with the possession and distribution of child pornography.
According to an RCMP press release, David Aschim, 49, was arrested last Thursday (Jan. 9) after police executed a search warrant on his residence in Canmore.
Cpl. Deanna Fontaine said the search warrant was executed after a lengthy investigation by Canmore RCMP and ALERT's Internet Child Exploitation team.
"Information was received in August 2018 that led to an investigation that took place between then and now," Fontaine said.
Aschim was charged under the Criminal Code of Canada with making child pornography available to others; possession of child pornography and accessing child pornography.
Aschim was released on bail with several conditions including: to have no contact or communication with any child under the age of 16; not to seek or obtain any employment or volunteer position that involves being in a position of trust or authority toward children under the age of 16; not to attend any public park or swimming area where children under the age of 16 are present or reasonably expected to be present, or a daycare, school grounds, playground or community centre.
He is scheduled to appear in Canmore Provincial Court on Jan. 15.
The news has affected the local trail running community of Canmore.
Strides Canmore, which sells running and other outdoor recreation gear, posted a statement on its Facebook page on Tuesday (Jan. 14) to acknowledge concerns in the community about Aschim, who was a part-time sales associate at the store.
