Edmonton Catholic teacher Jimmy Buena arrested on child pornography charges after Philippines flight

Jimmy Buena, a teacher at St. Oscar Romero Catholic High School, was arrested at Edmonton International Airport on child pornography charges. He had fled to the Philippines after a warrant was issued.

Edmonton Catholic teacher nabbed at airport on child pornography charges

A Catholic high school teacher from west Edmonton was arrested at Edmonton International Airport on April 15, 2026, on charges of making, accessing, possessing, and transmitting child pornography, cbc.ca reports.

Jimmy Buena had been employed at St. Oscar Romero Catholic High School before the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) issued an arrest warrant in June 2025. At that time, investigators believed he had left for the Philippines.

According to an ALERT spokesperson, Buena has since been released from custody. He does not face any additional charges for having fled the country.

Investigators previously alleged that Buena had distributed child sexual abuse materials via Facebook.

The Edmonton Catholic School Division confirmed that a letter was sent to parents and families of students at St. Oscar Romero Catholic High School. The letter stated there was no information to suggest that any of Buena's students were directly involved.

Buena is scheduled to appear in court on June 18.

Source: Google News CA — Crime (EN)