Cole Harbour man charged with 2 child luring-related offences

Nova Scotia RCMP have charged a 33-year-old Cole Harbour man with luring a child and making sexually explicit material available to a child. Police said the charges followed an online child luring investigation that led to his arrest on November 9.

According to the RCMP, officers received information on October 30 that an online user in the Halifax area had communicated with a youth for a sexual purpose. Investigators identified the user as a Cole Harbour man on November 6, police said.

Officers arrested the man during a traffic stop near his residence and seized electronic evidence, according to police. The Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Unit was assisted by the Halifax Regional Detachment Community Action Response Team.

Later on November 9, police executed a search warrant at a residence on Flying Cloud Drive and seized more electronic evidence. The search involved the exploitation unit and RCMP Digital Forensic Services, with assistance from the Community Action Response Team.

Police identified the accused as Bennett Gordon Thomas. He was released on conditions and is scheduled to appear in Dartmouth Provincial Court on December 16.

Police appeal

Investigators believe additional victims may have been targeted online. They urge parents and guardians to speak with their children about online safety and ask anyone aware of suspicious activity or communication to report it to local police. The Canadian Centre for Child Protection offers supports and resources.

In Nova Scotia, suspected child sexual abuse and exploitation material must be reported to local police or Canada's national tipline at www.cybertip.ca. Police said failure to report may result in penalties under the Child Pornography Reporting Act.

The police file number is 2026-1614989.