A Leduc man accused of having been in possession of child pornography and distributing it online is scheduled to enter his plea later this month.
Anton Stepanko, 37, was charged after RCMP conducted a search warrant at a residence in Leduc on Jan.15, 2025.
The search warrant was the result of a joint investigation between the Leduc GIS, the Leduc RCMP Crime Reduction Unit and Alberta RCMP Internet Child Exploitation unit.
The offences are believed to have taken place between Aug. 29, 2024 and Jan. 15, 2025.
Stepanko is facing charges of possession of child pornography, distribution of child pornography and accessing child pornography.
He had a first appearance on Jan.23, 2025 and his next court date is scheduled for Feb. 27, 2025 at the Leduc Court of Justice.
At the Feb. 27 court date, the Crown is expected to make election requests for the counts of possessing child pornography and accessing child pornography before Stepanko will be asked to enter his plea.
An election request is when Crown counsel decides, at its own discretion, to proceed with the offence as either a summary conviction (less serious offence) or an indictable offence (more serious offence). (justice.gc.ca)
