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The man is charged with two counts of luring to commit the making of child pornography, luring to commit an offence against a child, sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, sexual assault, possession of child pornography and extortion.

Cross said the investigation is still in its early stages, but investigators believe the man lived in Edmonton and moved to B.C. before moving back to the city in January.

He did not say whether the teens are from Edmonton or B.C. because it risked identifying them.

Images of the accused showed him in a “clergy type setting” wearing clothes that appeared to be those of a priest, Cross said, adding it’s still early to say if the man impersonated a priest in a public setting.

He did not believe the man was a volunteer or an employee at any agencies that would have given him access to children.

Lorraine Turchansky, spokeswoman for the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton, said a records search showed the man had no connection to the church.

“We are able to confirm he never studied for the priesthood here at St. Joseph Seminary, nor has he ever been ordained as a priest in the archdiocese of Edmonton or any archdioceses in Canada or the U.S.,” she said.

“I can tell you it’s as disturbing to us as it to anyone when you hear children and young people have been abused in any way,” Turchansky added. “We don’t tolerate that in this church.”

Police believe there may be additional victims and are asking that anyone with information about the case to call their local police detachment or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Justin Georges Stephen Coulombe was released from custody on recognizance with conditions. He is set to appear in court Aug. 21.