Police charge Calgary man with sexual assault, child luring

Lethbridge Police have charged a 26-year-old Calgary man in connection with an incident where a 12-year-old girl was lured online and sexually assaulted.

On April 23, 2025, police responded to a report of a missing 12-year-old girl. Following further investigation, it was determined the child had been picked up a day earlier near her Lethbridge home by a male who previously befriended her online. The male transported the child to a residence he rented for one night and sexually assaulted her multiple times before leaving the city.

The rental property was located by police and a search resulted in the seizure of physical evidence. Police further obtained video surveillance images of the male while he was in Lethbridge and the online communications he had with the victim, which included sexually explicit images. 

On September 10, with assistance from the Calgary Police Service, the male was arrested at his residence in Calgary. A search warrant was subsequently executed at the home and additional evidence seized. 

Jhanger Ali Sameer, 26, of Calgary, is charged with sexual assault, invitation to sexual touching, sexual interference, possession of child pornography and two counts of child luring. Following a Judicial Interim Releasing hearing, Sameer was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in the Lethbridge Court of Justice today. 

Police have evidence to believe this was not an isolated incident and there may be additional, unidentified victims. 

As part of the ongoing investigation, police are releasing a photo of Sameer, who may be known as “Sam” online. Anyone who has been victimized, or has information that could assist investigators, is asked to call police at 403-328-4444 and reference file 25006945.