Former political candidate charged with luring underage girl over the internet

A former Alberta Partycandidate who resigned over an inappropriate joke posted to social media has been arrested and charged with sexual assaultagainst an underage girl.

Terry Lo, 45, was arrested Tuesday ata restaurant in Airdrie, a week after a teenage girl told police she had met a man online who identified himself as a 34-year-old named George.

The pairbegan communicating via a cell phone app and arranged to meet in Airdrie.

• Terry Lo resigns as Alberta Party candidate after offensive remark

Lo is facing eight chargestwo counts of child luring and one count each of sexual assault, sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, obtaining sexual services for consideration, abduction and resisting arrest.

"The victim approached the RCMP and advised us of her concerns,"saidInsp. Gordon Sage.

"The exploitation of children is extremely important to usand one of our priority things to look into. We engaged our full plainclothes unit to investigate this with the assistance of the ALERT [Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team]."

Sage encouragesparents to speak to their children about online usage and safe practices.

Lo was released on his own recognizance with several conditions, including that he have no communication with anyone under age18.

Lo was a candidate for the Alberta Party in the riding of Calgary-Glenmore in the 2015 provincial election, but was forced to resign after it was revealed he had posted an offensive joke to Facebook, reportedly involving Jews and Catholics.

The party released a short statement Wednesday:"We have faith in our legal system and that justice will be served."

Lo was previously the Wildrose party'svice-president of communications for the Calgary-Glenmore Constituency Association butquitafter the party backtracked on a statement affirming equal rights for all, noting he is the parent of an LGBTson.

His next court appearance is set for Oct. 6.

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