Filipino Teacher in Edmonton Wanted for Child Pornography Charges

A Filipino teacher from St. Oscar Romero Catholic High School in Edmonton is facing serious criminal charges related to online child sexual exploitation and is now the subject of a Canada-wide arrest warrant.

On June 24, 2025, the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams’ (ALERT) Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit filed charges against Jimmy Buena. The allegations include making, accessing, possessing, and transmitting child pornography. Investigators believe Buena fled the country before he could be apprehended.

ICE officers went to the school on the same day to execute the arrest but were unable to locate the suspect.

The case began after the RCMP’s National Child Exploitation Crime Centre received a tip indicating that child sexual abuse materials were being uploaded through Facebook.

Following a digital investigation, authorities identified Buena as the individual allegedly responsible for the activity.

While the charges are based on online offences, it is currently unclear whether any students at St. Oscar Romero were directly impacted. Given Buena’s role as an educator, the incident has raised alarm among parents and the school community.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Authorities are urging anyone with relevant information about the case or the suspect’s whereabouts to contact their local police department or reach out anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

ALERT’s ICE unit is dedicated to identifying and prosecuting individuals involved in child sexual exploitation across Alberta and works closely with national and international law enforcement partners.