Calgary man charged with kidnapping after youth ‘Catch a Predator’ sting

A "To Catch a Predator"-style sting by a group of youths ended in abduction charges after a 12-year-old boy entered a suspect's vehicle in Calgary.

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A "To Catch a Predator"-style sting by a group of youths ended in abduction charges after a 12-year-old boy entered a suspect's vehicle in Calgary.

RCMP said at least seven youths arranged to meet a man through Snapchat.

The plan was to record the interaction, but the 12-year-old allegedly got into the man’s car, which then drove away according to a Wednesday statement from the RCMP.

Police say the boy escaped at a red light and called 911 following a police pursuit involving a helicopter.

Zain Merchant, 37, faces nine charges, including abduction of a person under 14, sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, kidnapping, forcible confinement and three counts of breaching a prohibition order.

Cpl. Christopher Hrynyk of Airdrie RCMP’s specialized investigation unit said Merchant has a “history with police” and that the breach charges relate to prior investigations involving minors.

That history includes possession of child pornography charges in May 2021, which led to a conviction and two-year prison sentence in March 2022.

Merchant was also sentenced to 11 months in jail in September 2023 for accessing child pornography.

His previous sentence included orders prohibiting Merchant from communicating with anyone under 16 without parental supervision.

RCMP confirmed he remains in custody following his judicial interim release hearing.

Duty counsel Janice Taylor appeared Thursday in Airdrie Court of Justice on behalf of Zain Alnoor Merchant and requested a postponement.

“I’ve spoken with Mr. Merchant. I’m prepared to waive reading of the charges on his behalf,” Taylor said, asking Justice Sheri Epp to excuse his attendance.

Merchant will remain in pre-trial custody at the Calgary Remand Centre for at least one more week.