FORT MCMURRAY — Wood Buffalo RCMP have charged an Edmonton man following a child luring and child pornography investigation that began late last year, with assistance from Alberta’s Internet Child Exploitation unit.
Police say the investigation started in December 2025 after receiving a report involving a 14 year old girl who had been sending sexually explicit images to an Edmonton resident. As part of the investigation, officers executed a search warrant at an Edmonton address on Jan. 15, 2026, where a male suspect was arrested.
Cary Allan Sillanpaa, 42, is charged with luring a child, possession of child pornography, making sexually explicit material available to a child, and obtaining sexual services in exchange for goods.
Sillanpaa was brought before a justice of the peace and released on conditions. He is scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Edmonton on Feb. 11.
RCMP are urging parents and guardians to speak with children and teens about online luring and how it occurs. Police recommend discussing why online luring is a Criminal Code offence, teaching youth to recognize red flag behaviours, and helping them develop ways to exit conversations or online relationships that make them uncomfortable.
Police also encourage parents to stress the importance of seeking help from a trusted adult and to reassure youth that they are not in trouble for coming forward. RCMP say situations involving online exploitation are too serious for young people to manage on their own.
Suspected online sexual exploitation of a child can be reported anonymously through the Cybertip.ca report form. Anyone who believes a child is in immediate danger is urged to call 9 1 1. Non-emergency concerns can be reported to local police, while anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222 8477.
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