This story has been updated Friday afternoon to include a statement from the Delta School District.
A teacher in the Delta School District and Surrey resident is facing three charges of child pornography related offences.
On Friday morning, the Surrey RCMP Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) released information about the investigation, which resulted in charges against 52-year-old Elazar Reshef.
According to a news release from RCMP, the investigation began in March 2019, as a result of a notification received from an electronic service provider, which alleged that an account user had child pornography in their possession. Surrey RCMP ICE immediately launched an investigation. Following an extensive review and forensic analysis of the evidence, charges were approved by the BC Prosecution Services and an information sworn against Reshef on July 2, 2020.
“Reshef has been in direct contact with children during his work as a teacher in the Delta School District. As a result, the Surrey RCMP are releasing this information in the interest of public safety and to further the police investigation,” said RCMP in a news release.
RCMP say investigators have reviewed all available evidence and, at this point, no Lower Mainland children have been identified as potential victims. However, anyone who may have information that could assist in this investigation is asked to contact Surrey RCMP ICE investigators at 604-599-0502.
Cpl. Joanie Sidhu told the Optimist that charges have been approved, but Reshef has not been arrested.
“Officers are in the process of getting him into custody,” she said. “We have notified the Delta School District and in terms of what their actions were as a result of our notification, I’d have to direct any of those questions to them.”
In an emailed response to the Optimist Friday afternoon, the Delta School District said the safety and wellbeing of our students is our paramount concern.
“In July 2019, upon hearing that Mr. Reshef was being investigated by the police we took immediate action to remove him from any interactions with students within the school district,” said the Delta School District statement. “This individual has not been at work since July 2019 and has not been permitted on Delta School District property since that time. We are working closely with Surrey RCMP. As this is a police matter, we urge anyone who may have information on this case to contact Surrey RCMP.”
