A local foster care supervisor and foster parent facing child pornography charges was released from custody on a no cash bail with conditions on Monday.
Daniel Quiring Stoesz, 62, who lived north-east of Plamondon, has been charged with possessing child pornography, and making it available. Stoesz is employed by the Government of Alberta Ministry of Human Services as a Foster Care supervisor for the St. Paul and Lac La Biche region.
According to his 14 bail conditions, Stoesz cannot come in contact with anyone under 18, nor his wife and children, has to stay away from computers, can’t view pornography of any kind, and cannot go on the internet. He will also have to find a new, court-approved residence.
His next court appearance is Jan. 23.
Entering the courthouse from an Alberta Sheriff van at the back of the building, Stoesz said nothing to a crowd of reporters waiting for his arrival. Wearing jeans and a blue and white plaid shirt, he silently stared at Judge Don Demetrick during the approximate 25 minutes of his first court appearance.
The charges were laid following a tip by FBI in Connecticut that led to an investigation and search of his residence and workplace.
The province’s Internet Child Exploitation unit (ICE) received information from the FBI that child pornography had been distributed over the internet from an area residence.
A search warrant was executed and computers were seized at a residence on Dec. 1. At the time of the seizure, the homeowner was not present. Stoesz was later arrested near Bonnyville and was in custody until Monday’s court date.
A second search was executed at his workplace and more computer equipment and electronic storage devices were seized.
