Police have charged 52-year-old Peter Malko with sexual assault following an alleged incident in downtown Edmonton.

EPS say on January 22 at around 11 a.m., Malko approached a 16-year-old female while riding the LRT by the Coliseum transit centre.

The report says he identified himself as a photographer for a teen magazine and that he'd like to take pictures of her.

“She was approached by the man under the preface that he was a photographer and wished to take photos of her,” Detective Brenda Dalziel with the EPS Sexual Assault Section said.

“He was believable in the role he was playing, in how he was presenting himself; it would have seemed legitimate for someone who wasn’t 16.”

Around 11 p.m. that same evening, the teenager met the male at an apartment near downtown, where he allegedly sexually assaulted the youth.

“If they do have aspirations to do something like modelling, then they’re going to think this is a wonderful opportunity,” Karen Smith with the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton said. “And who would blame them.”

Edmonton police have released the photo of the accused in the belief that there may be additional complaints or other persons Malko may have approached.

Malko is described as a Caucasian male with dyed red hair that is naturally grey. He has blue eyes, is 5'6" tall, weighs 160 lbs and wears dark-rimmed eyeglasses.

Police say that Malko may also have gone by the name Peter McCormack.

Please contact Edmonton police at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. You can also submit an anonymous tip or information through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 and online.

Malko has been released with conditions, police said he was known to them – but would not release details on his history.

Malko is scheduled to appear in court February 25.

With files from Veronica Jubinville