'Inappropriate communication' with student leads to sex offence charges for B.C. teacher
A B.C. teacher has been charged with sexual offences after allegedly engaging in inappropriate communication with a student.
Jason Walker was charged Tuesday with sexual exploitation, making sexually explicit material available to a child and child luring, according to a news release from Columbia Valley RCMP.
The detachment said the charges stem from its investigation into allegations that a teacher at David Thompson Secondary School in Invermere "had engaged in inappropriate communication with a student."
The investigation began last month, police said, adding that their work on the case is ongoing.
"The offences took place over the internet, specifically social media," said Cpl. James Grandy, a spokesperson for BC RCMP, in the release.
"As such, investigators believe it may be possible other individuals are aware of these offences. Police are encouraging anyone who may have further information to contact the Columbia Valley RCMP."
Walker was arrested and "placed on a number of conditions," police said, adding that his next court appearance is scheduled for March 4.
Online court records associated with the police file indicate that Walker was born in 1987. He is not in custody.
Steve Wyer, the assistant superintendent for the Rocky Mountain School District, told CTV News Wednesday morning that the district learned Walker had been charged when the RCMP announced that information late Tuesday afternoon.
He said the district has been aware of the allegations against the teacher since roughly the same time the RCMP began investigating last month.
Walker has been on leave since the district became aware of the allegations, Wyer said. When asked whether the teacher was still being paid, he said he could not share that information.
Wyer said the school district has been communicating with the community "to the extent possible" since the allegations came to light, and will continue to focus on safety and support for students, staff and the broader community as the matter makes its way through the courts.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Blaine Higgs 'furious' over sexual education presentation
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has shared his anger on social media over a presentation in at least four high schools.
Driver, 18, gets $3,000 ticket, 32 demerit points after speeding on Laval boulevard
A young driver received a hefty fine from Laval police after they say he was driving nearly 100 km/h over the posted speed limit.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 30
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.
Man throws flaming liquid on New York City subway, burns fellow rider
A man set a cup of liquid on fire and tossed it at fellow subway rider in New York City, setting the victim's shirt ablaze and injuring him.
At least 9 dead in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after severe weather roars across region
Powerful storms killed at least nine people and left a wide trail of destruction Sunday across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after obliterating homes and destroying a truck stop where drivers took shelter during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S.
As Canada warms, infectious disease risks spread north
Cases of Lyme disease have now increased more than 1,000 per cent in a decade as the warming climate pushes the boundaries of a range of pathogens and risk factors northward.
12 people injured after Qatar Airways plane hits turbulence on way to Dublin
Twelve people were injured when a Qatar Airways plane flying from Doha to Dublin on Sunday hit turbulence, airport authorities said.