12 Kelowna school girls lured on Internet with drugs, smokes and booze

33 charges laid against Maddocks.

KELOWNA, B.C  – A sex-for-drugs lure has so far uncovered 12 girls from middle schools in Kelowna who were taken advantage of by a 57-year-old man who they met online.

Police said they were made aware of the alleged activities of Colin Maddocks on Oct. 1 and subsequent investigation has revealed there were numerous transactions involving females who allegedly met with the man. 33 charges have been laid.

Now, two months later, cops are asking parents to check with their kids to see if they had any contact with Maddocks, who they allege often pretended to be a teenager while in online chat with girls.

“Police are appealing to the public, in order to identify more possible victims, possibly in other communities. Police are asking parents and guardians to enquire of their children if there has been any association and to call the Kelowna RCMP,” said a press release.

“Kelowna RCMP were made aware that a 57-year-old male had been victimizing middle-school aged females and had been providing them with alcohol, cigarettes and drugs as enticements in order to gain control and compliance to requests of a sexual nature,” said Const.  Steve Holmes.

“After identifying the first victim, the Kelowna RCMP Major Crimes Unit Investigators and School Liaison Officers, moved quickly to locate the suspect,” he said.

Maddocks was arrested at his residence and his personal computer was seized for analysis.

“In the ensuing weeks, Investigators located another 11 victims. All of the victims were female, between the ages of 13 to 16 years,” he said.

“Details emerged of how Maddocks would meet and lure his victims on social networking sites and chat rooms, sometimes passing himself off as being 16 or 19 years of age,” he alleged. “Virtual meetings would often lead to face to face meetings where Maddocks would offer and supply alcohol, cigarettes and, on one occasion, a drug to the youth.”

33 charges have been laid so far, mostly of a sexual nature. It was unclear if it involves more than 12 victims.

“Police are also appealing to parents and guardians to be vigilant with respect to their child’s access and use of computer in the home,” police said.

“Apply the appropriate internet safeguards and take an interest in your child’s computer usage. The virtual world often gives a false sense of security regarding personal safety. Countless incidents have proven that words and pictures, when used inappropriately and with criminal intent, can be as damaging as any physical assault. In many cases, more so.”

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Posted by News Editor on Dec 8 2009. Filed under Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry