Edmonton teacher facing child exploitation charges, may have left Canada: ALERT

Police say an Edmonton high school teacher who's facing child exploitation charges may have left Canada.

Police are searching for an Edmonton teacher wanted for child sexual exploitation charges.

Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) said 47-year-old Jimmy Buena, a teacher at St. Oscar Romero Catholic High School, has been charged with accessing, possessing and transmitting child pornography.

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According to ALERT, Buena allegedly uploaded child sexual abuse materials to Facebook.

“There is no information to indicate at this point that any student was involved in relation to these charges,” said ALERT Staff Sgt. Alison Church.

At this time, ALERT said the charges are related to online activity ALERT was tipped off to. Church said no additional details were available yet on what that activity was.

“While he has been charged as of yesterday, we still have a lot of our investigation to go and that includes a review of any of the tech that we’ve received,” she added. “So that we have an understanding of exactly what we’re dealing with.”

A warrant was issued for Buena’s arrest and officers attempted to take him into custody on Tuesday, but he was not at the school. ALERT believes he has left the country.

“We believe that he may be in the Philippines,” Church said, adding steps are being taken to ensure Buena is arrested if he returns to Canada.

On Wednesday morning, the St. Oscar Romero website said Buena taught Filipino language and math. That page was later taken down.

The Edmonton Catholic School Division said it was made aware of the charges against Buena on Tuesday.

It said Buena’s last day at the school was June 19, and that he longer worked for the school or division and would not be returning in September.

“The safety and well-being of our students is our first priority, and we are fully cooperating with police,” the division said in a statement to CTV News Edmonton.

“Our priority right now is to ensure that our school community has the support and resources it needs during this time. Given the ongoing investigation, we are unable to share further details.”

Church said it’s important for parents to speak with kids about their online activity and what exploitation can look like.

“In discussions the parents have or that do come up as a result of this, if there is any information, we would ask that the police are contacted,” she added.

Anyone with information on Buena should contact local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.