Okotoks residents angry as man charged with sexual exploitation crimes released on bail

RCMP say they've learned some may be considering taking action into their own hands against a man charged for his collection of child sexual abuse material.

Residents of a southern Alberta town are flooding social media in anger after a local man was released back into the community on bail after being charged for allegedly possessing the largest collection of child sexual abuse materials investigators have ever recovered.

Corey Airhart, 35, was charged by Alberta’s Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) on Wednesday with possessing and accessing child sexual abuse materials after a search of his home in Okotoks led to the discovery of more than 500,000 images and videos.

The materials feature tens of thousands of victims, including very young children.

READ MORE:Alberta man charged after 500,000 child abuse images, videos found

“It’s disturbing,” said Airhart’s neighbour Nick Dimaulo.

“You never really know your neighbour well enough, but to have something to that extent and to the degree of what it was … shook not only the neighborhood, but all of Alberta. To see something like that and be so close to it have no idea.

“It makes you judge character a little more in a sense.”

Dimaulo says he and other neighbours spotted Airhart was walking around the neighbourhood on Wednesday.

“He was back home, cleaning up his garage. Another neighbour said he went for a walk with his dog,” Dimaulo said.

“It’s kind of disturbing that that news is released about him and also he’s back at home and (is) going on about his day. I think that’s upset a lot of people around here.”

The total amount of child sexual exploitation photos and videos uncovered by ALERT across Alberta in the last year is 622,150 — only slightly more than what was seized from Airhart’s home.

Immediate neighbours aren’t the only ones voicing their discomfort about Airhart’s release from custody — the area’s member of Parliament is also speaking out.

Foothills MP John Barlow, who says he’s raised his family in the community, describes the Okotoks area as a “very young, family-oriented, community-oriented town.”

“To have something like this occur in your backyard, literally, in your neighborhood is quite alarming,” Foothills MP John Barlow told CTV News.

RCMP warning against vigilante action

Despite alarm in the community, Barlow is asking residents to let police authorities manage the situation.

It comes as Okotoks RCMP are warning members of the public against taking on “vigilante action” against Airhart after receiving reports of threats and “comments suggesting that some individuals may take matters into their own hands” following his release.

“Okotoks RCMP understands that members of the community may have strong concerns and emotions regarding this matter,” a Thursday statement from RCMP said.

“The RCMP want to be clear that threats, intimidation, harassment, or any form of vigilante action are unlawful and will be thoroughly investigated.”

Airhart’s release features numerous conditions, Mounties say, including not getting within 50 metres of any place a child under 16 may be present. He is also not allowed to directly communicate with anyone under 16 and may not possess any devices with internet access or cameras.

Airhart also must remain at his Okotoks residence unless granted permission by his supervisor to move to another location.

Barlow says it’s his understanding that Airhart has been removed from the community.

But still, he argues the federal government has not had strict enough bail conditions for anyone who has committed a crime.

“This has sent the message to violent repeat offenders and sexual offenders that, there’s no consequences and I’m going to continue to abuse the system,” the Conservative MP said.

Stricter bail restrictions could provide peace of mind: expert

Mount Royal University criminologist Kelly Sundberg says stricter bail conditions could help a community feel more at ease and reduce vigilantism.

“When you have charges of this nature, and, when you have the volume of highly concerning and simply disgusting types of images, that in itself gets the public angered,” Sundberg said, adding public outrage is also stoked by a perceived leniency of the courts and the perception that justice is not being served to the crime’s victims.  

“(W)hen you combine that with the smaller community where everybody knows each other, that does exasperate the risk of vigilantism and people taking the law into their own hands.

“These are the types of cases that deserve reverse onus,” Sundberg said, adding it’s important to remember everyone is innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.

The Town of Okotoks says it has issued a trespass notice to Airhart, preventing him from accessing town facilities.

“We know this news is deeply upsetting and unsettling for many in our community, and we recognize the fear and concern this situation creates, especially when it involves the safety of children,” read a statement.

The town says it understands residents have questions and concerns, but asks residents to “remain respectful, avoid speculation, and not take matters into their own hands.”

Airhart is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 7 in Okotoks.