Edmonton man accused of directing sexual abuse of child in Vietnam via livestream
Posted May 22, 2025 11:12 am.
Last Updated May 22, 2025 12:01 pm.
Police have arrested an Edmonton man for his alleged role in the sexual abuse of a young child in Vietnam over a livestream.
The 55-year-old man is accused of directing the sexual abuse of the child – who was around two or three years old at the time – while participating in the video recording remotely. Police believe the livestream was recorded sometime between 2021 and 2022 and later posted online.
Authorities say the suspect was identified following an investigation by multiple police units across three countries: Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT), B.C. RCMP, U.S. Homeland Security and Vietnamese police.
The child and their assailant were both found in Vietnam, ALERT says.
“This case is a harrowing reminder of the real-world suffering children endure for some people’s sexual gratification,” said Acting Sgt. Matthew Pepper with ALERT’s internet child exploitation (ICE) unit.
Christopher Webber was arrested May 15 and charged with sexual interference; making arrangements to commit sexual offence against a child; and making, possessing and accessing child pornography. He is scheduled to appear in court June 11.
None of the allegations have been tested in court.
Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly identified the child victim as being from Thailand.
