An Edmonton man is facing several charges after two teenage girls reported they had been sexually assault by a man they met through social media.
According to police, an 18-year-old girl met a man on a dating app the two had “friendly discussions” before meeting at a local mall on Sept. 24.
The next day, police said the young woman agreed to go to the man’s home where she said she was sexually and physically assaulted.
Then, a 16-year-old girl told police she met the same man on a social media app and the two became friends. She told police when they met face-to-face at the girl’s home, the man sexually and physically assaulted her.
On Oct. 22, police arrested Keenan Wayne Burlaka.
The 20-year-old has been charged with sexual assault with a weapon, sexual assault, forceful confinement, choking to overcome resistance, strangulation, making sexual explicit material available to a child with intent and breaching his conditions.
“Known as “Greene” and/or “Kai” online, it is alleged that Burlaka uses social media platforms to meet and befriend young, female complainants, before meeting in person and sexually assaulting them,” police said in a Thursday news release.
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Police released a photo of the accused as they believe there may be other victims.
It’s not the first time Burlaka has faced these types of charges. A spokesperson for Edmonton police confirmed the breach of conditions charge he is facing in this investigation is related to charges laid earlier this year.
Read more: Man charged, gaming consoles seized after ‘indecent communication with minor’: Cold Lake RCMP
Cold Lake RCMP began investigating what it referred to as “incident communication with a minor online” on Feb. 18. The investigation led to a search of a home in Bonnyville where various electronics were seized.
Burlaka was taken into custody and charged with uttering threats, extortion without a firearm, criminal harassment, indecent communication and harassing communication.
He was released from custody on conditions to “abstain from the use of any social media and not be in the presence of a minor without their guardian/parent present.”
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Edmonton police. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.
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