A Fredericton man is facing 19 charges after a child luring and sexual assault investigation by the New Brunswick RCMP in the Fredericton and Oromocto areas.
Mounties say 20-year-old Firas Alobaid has been targeting young girls through the “Add Friends Nearby” feature on Snapchat since January.
Three teenage girls reported meeting Alobaid between April and June before being sexually assaulted by him.
“If you were contacted by this man, if you exchanged photos with this person, especially if you met up with him – we want to talk to you to help our investigation,” said Cpl. Hans Ouellette of the New Brunswick RCMP in a statement.
“You are not in trouble. We want to support you.”
Officers believe Alobaid used two accounts to engage with youth, with one username being “M_vixin20″ and the other being “Abo_issauk.” He may have driven a mid or dark grey 2013 four-door Ford Focus, with license plate number JFU 475.
“We need to talk to anyone who had interactions with this person to further our investigation,” said Ouellette.
“We need you to know that you can come to police. You will be heard, and you will be treated with respect and compassion.”
Mounties identified Alobaid as a person of interest on June 12 before learning he fled to Ontario. He was arrested by the Toronto Police Service on a Canada-wide warrant and transferred to New Brunswick RCMP custody on June 20.
Alobaid appeared in Fredericton Provincial Court and was charged with:
- Six counts of sexual assault
- Five counts of sexual interference of a minor
- Three counts of sexual exploitation
- Three counts of child luring by telecommunication
- Possession of a firearm for a dangerous purpose
- Uttering threats
Alobaid was remanded into police custody until his bail hearing on June 23.
Anyone who interacted with Alobaid through social media, or has information that may help the investigation, is asked to contact Oromocto RCMP or Crime Stoppers.