Red Deer Justice Centre (Image Credit: Josh Hall/rdnewsNOW)

By Sheldon Spackman

September 2025 Investigation

Child porn-related charges withdrawn for Penhold man

Feb 19, 2026 | 5:01 PM

Charges have been withdrawn for a Penhold man previously facing child pornography-related offences. 

According to the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service (ACPS), after a thorough review of the available admissible evidence, the Crown prosecutor determined that a Peace Bond was the appropriate resolution to pursue. As such, the charges against 45-year-old Jefferey Johnstone were withdrawn on Feb. 18, 2026, and the accused entered into a Peace Bond.    

Johnstone was facing charges of possession of child pornography, accessing child pornography, and distribute/sell/import child pornography, before they were withdrawn in Red Deer Court of Justice. 

It was on Sept. 18, 2025, when the RCMP in partnership with ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit, conducted a search warrant at a home in Penhold and arrested a suspect as part of an ongoing investigation. 

The arrest came after Innisfail RCMP alerted the public to a large police presence in the area that day. 

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Related: RCMP advise public of large police presence in Penhold

Related: Innisfail RCMP and ALERT’s ICE unit arrest Penhold man on child pornography related charges

Anyone with information about online child exploitation offences is encouraged to contact their local RCMP or www.cybertip.ca.  

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.