Hay River track star facing more child porn-related charges

A former Hay River, N.W.T., track and field star is facing more sex-related charges, includingpossessing and threatening to distribute nude photos of severalunderage girls.

Court documents show Joel Gordon, 21, is now facing 22 charges, up from the 16 he was originally charged with in January.

The charges are for incidents involving sixyoung girls that allegedly took place in January of this year. Gordon was arrested that monthfollowing anRCMPinvestigation into minors being lured and extorted on social media.

They includepossessingchild pornography,threatening to distribute nude photos of young girls, exposing his genitals, distributing sexual materials to minors, luring a child, making threats via text message, andhaving a firearm without a licence.

Gordon is a celebrated track and field star in the territory. He won silver for the N.W.T. at the Canada Summer Games in 2013.

He is currently out on bail living in Edmonton and is not allowed to return to Hay River except to prepare for court appearances.

Gordon is also barred from possessing any electronic devices with internet access, or visiting parks or pools where children under 16 are likely to be.

His case is scheduled to beback inYellowknife court on Sept.13.