Cole Harbour RCMP Charge Local Man

Brian MacKenzie Teepell/USPA 24 News - SOURCE: Cole Harbour RCMP, Provincial RCMP, Canada Gothic, and Brian MacKenzie Teepell/USPA 24 News.
The purpose of this article is not to draw attention to the accused, but rather to make parents and children aware that there is this type of disgusting activity in the community and educate and start conversations about keeping our communities safe from this type of behavior.
***Halifax High School Notifies Families of Staff Member’s Arrest Following Child Luring Charges***

Woodlawn High School in Dartmouth has notified families that a member of its staff has been arrested and is facing serious criminal charges, as details emerge about a child luring investigation involving a 33-year-old Cole Harbour man.

In an email sent to families, principal Craig Campbell advised that the employee had been placed on leave, that the school would cooperate fully with investigators, and that counselling services would be available to students. The message also provided a direct link to today's RCMP press release announcing two criminal charges against Bennett Gordon Thomas, 33, of Cole Harbour.

According to the RCMP release, the investigation began on October 30th, after police received information that an online user in the Halifax area had communicated with a youth for a s**ual purpose.

Investigators identified the suspect on November 6th. On November 9th, members of the Nova Scotia RCMP Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Unit, assisted by the Halifax Regional Detachment's Community Action Response Team, arrested Thomas during a traffic stop near his residence. Police seized electronic evidence during the arrest and later that day, executed a search warrant at a residence on Flying Cloud Drive in Cole Harbour, seizing additional evidence.

33 year old Ben Thomas has been charged with Luring a Child and Making Se**ally Explicit Material Available to a Child. He was released on conditions and is scheduled to appear in Dartmouth Provincial Court on December 16th.

RCMP investigators believe additional victims may have been targeted online and are encouraging families to discuss online safety with their children. The school email does not specifically name the employee, and describe their role at the school.

This is the third recent case in Nova Scotia involving criminal allegations of se**al offences against children and individuals working in school-related positions.

On November 5th, RCMP announced child luring charges against 58-year-old Luc Georges Castonguay of Amherst, who was identified in news coverage as a school bus driver. He is accused of communicating online with a youth for a se**al purpose and making se**ally explicit material available to a child.

In September, 53-year-old Matthew Donahoe, a teacher at Dr. W.A. MacLeod Consolidated School in Riverton, Pictou County, was arrested and charged with multiple offences involving students, including se**al assault, se**al interference, assault by choking, and administering a noxious substance. Investigators identified multiple alleged victims. All allegations remain before the courts and have not been proven.