Lacombe police have charged a 37-year-old Red Deer man with criminal harassment of a victim through social media.
According to police, the suspect had been communicating with the victim for three months on a social website. When the victim attempted to block further communication, the suspect continued accessing the victim’s network.
Last month the suspect allegedly used false pretenses to convince the victim to meet in person in Lacombe. Once there, the victim had a cellphone shoved in his face. He was told by a hoodie-wearing male that he was being recorded and has been busted by “Creep Catchers,” a website set up to expose alleged predators who use the Internet to lure minors.
A video making false allegations against the victim was later posted to Red Deer’s Creep Catchers Facebook page. It was later removed.
Karl Young, of Red Deer, is charged with harassment and mischief. He was released on condition he has no contact with the victim and ordered not to use any computer or cell phone except for work purposes. He is scheduled to appear in Red Deer Provincial Court on Dec. 9.
Police are investigating a second suspect in connection to this incident.