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Thijs Gordon Vogelzang, a Crossfield resident and former educational assistant previously employed by Rocky View Schools, was sentenced to 258 days in custody for possession of child pornography. With 168 days credited as time already served, he has 90 days remaining.
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He was arrested on May 29, 2024, and was employed by the division at the time. Rocky View Schools confirmed the next day that he had worked at W.H. Croxford High School during the 2022/23 school year and was working at W.G. Murdoch High School in Crossfield at the time of his arrest. His employment was terminated following the arrest.
Vogelzang was sentenced on June 5, 2025. Justice James D. Sawa presided, according to Alberta Court of Justice records.
He was convicted of one count of possession of child pornography, contrary to section 163.1(4) of the Criminal Code, which prohibits knowingly possessing visual or written material that depicts or describes sexual activity involving a person under the age of 18. Two other charges—sexual interference under section 151 and making child pornography under section 163.1(2)—were withdrawn.
The court record includes entries for a Section 161 prohibition, a DNA order, and a Sex Offender Registry order dated June 5, 2025. A 20-year reporting period is listed in the registry data. A probation entry also appears, but no further details were provided.
On May 30, 2024, Airdrie RCMP announced that Vogelzang had been charged following a six-month investigation by the Airdrie RCMP Specialized Investigation Unit and the Airdrie Rural RCMP. He was initially charged with sexual interference, possession of child pornography, and making child pornography.
That same day, Rocky View Schools said it was cooperating fully with RCMP and had implemented school-based and divisional supports for students at both W.G. Murdoch and W.H. Croxford. The division also confirmed that information was being communicated to staff and school communities.
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