Phillip Travers Milo was charged with possession and distribution of child porn after a 10-month probe

HALIFAX — A former board member of a highly popular Halifax sci-fi and fantasy convention is facing child pornography charges.

Halifax Regional Police said Friday that Phillip Travers Milo was charged with possession and distribution of child porn after a 10-month probe.

Police say they learned from the National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre last April that a Halifax man had posted child pornography online.

Police say they searched a Halifax address on Valentine's Day and seized electronic and media storage devices.

Jennifer Lambe, executive director of Hal-Con, which bills itself as Atlantic Canada’s biggest sci-fi, fantasy and gaming convention, said the organization was shocked by the charges.

She says the 47-year-old Milo is no longer with Hal-Con, which is to be held this coming October.

"Everyone is stunned, upset and at a loss to explain this. During his time with Hal-Con we had not received any complaints or had concerns raised about him," she said in a statement on Friday.

"We are working to improve our internal processes to screen members of the team for potential risk, and we plan to consult with local law enforcement and security experts to guide us in that endeavour going forward. The safety and well being of our attendees and convention community is now and will continue to be of the utmost importance to us."

Police say Milo was arrested without incident, and will appear in Halifax provincial court at a later date.

The Canadian Press