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Sylvan Lake’s Dr. Fred Janke to stand trial for child exploitation

Janke was arrested on June 28, 2018 for attempting to arrange sex with a 5-year-old
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Sylvan Lake’s Dr. Fred Janke will stand trial for attempting to arrange sex with a five-year-old girl.

Janke appeared in Edmonton provincial court last week, where a judge issued the order to stand trial.

Court dates have not yet been set.

Janke was arrested last June after a joint investigation by the Edmonton Police Service, the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team’s internet child exploitation unit and the Victoria Police Department.

He has been charged with making arrangements to commit sexual offences against a child, making child pornography and distribution of child pornography.

According to police, the charges stem from conversations online.

Police allege the 63-year-old doctor attempted to arrange to have sex with a person’s five-year-old daughter. However, Janke was reportedly speaking with an undercover officer with the Victoria Police Department, which was conducting an online investigation involving a website known to host chat rooms geared toward child sex.

According to police, the investigation into the chat room, and conversations with Janke, began in October 2017.

Janke was asked to withdraw from practising medicine by the College of Physicians and Surgeons, which threatened to suspend his licence if he refused.

“Although the allegations have not yet been proven, it would be unacceptable for him to practise medicine while this matter is pending,” a statement from the College of Physicians and Surgeons said.

Janke is a well-known figure in Sylvan Lake, having practised family medicine for 30 years in the community and establishing the Sylvan Family Health Centre in 1988. In 2000, Janke was also named citizen of the year.