Saskatchewan’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit has arrested a 44-year-old North Battleford man for allegedly attempting to meet with a 12-year-old female for sexual purposes.

Joseph Farnell was arrested and charged on January 19 with luring a child, invitation to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services for consideration after members of the ICE Unit executed a search warrant at a North Battleford residence where electronic devices were examined and seized. The offences occurred between January 11-15. Farnell was released on several conditions with a court appearance slated for March 13.