Earlier today, the RCMP’s National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre (NCECC) held a news conference in Dartmouth to announce the results of Operation Snapshot III which involved more than 40 law enforcement agencies from across Canada.
Nova Scotia partners in this operation included Nova Scotia RCMP Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Unit, the RCMP/HRP Integrated Internet Child Exploitation Unit, Cape Breton Regional Police and Bridgewater Police Service.
Over the course of the operation five residential search warrants were executed in the Halifax area by the Integrated Child Exploitation Unit:
1) On February 13th, a search warrant was executed on Allan St. in Halifax. Robert William Aiden Harris, 46, is facing charges of Possession of Child Pornography, Accessing Child Pornography and Making Available Child Pornography.
2) On February 28th, a search warrant was executed on Westerwald St. in Halifax. Leonard Gerard MacNeil, 56, is charged with Possession of Child Pornography and Making Available Child Pornography.
3) On March 25th, a search warrant was executed on Lakecrest Drive in Dartmouth. Brighton Spencer, 33, is charged with Possession of Child Pornography, Accessing Child Pornography and Making Available Child Pornography.
4) On May 8th, a search warrant was executed on Tenshire Court in Sackville. John Albert Marknette, 36, is facing charges of Possession of Child Pornography and Making Available Child Pornography.
5) On May 22nd, a search warrant was executed on Stoneybrook Court in Halifax. The investigation is ongoing and no charges have been laid at this time.
Six residential search warrants were executed throughout the province by Nova Scotia RCMP Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Unit, Cape Breton Regional Police and Bridgewater Police Service:
1) On May 13th, two search warrants were executed. The first was on Lynch Drive in Sydney River. Jeffrey MacFadgen, 23, was arrested and is facing charges of Possession of Child Pornography and Making Available Child Pornography. The second was executed on Victoria Rd. in Sydney. A 36-year-old man is facing charges of Possession of Child Pornography and Making Available Child Pornography.
2) On May 14th, a search warrant was executed on Hanway Rd. in Port Morien. Mark Edward Graham, 27, is facing charges of Possession of Child Pornography and Making Available Child Pornography.
3) On May 15th, a search warrant was executed on Chalet Crescent in Brooklyn, Hants County. Taylor Jacob Robertson, 20, is facing charges of Possession of Child Pornography and Making Available Child Pornography.
4) On May 16th, a search warrant was executed in Hilden. A 21-year-old man is facing charges of Possession of Child Pornography and Making Available Child Pornography.
5) On May 27th, a search warrant was executed in Bridgewater. A 50-year-old man is facing charges of Possession of Child Pornography and Making Available Child Pornography.
In October 2008, Nova Scotia introduced legislation making it mandatory for citizens to report suspected child pornography. This means that anyone who encounters child pornography material or recordings must report it to the police. Failing to report suspicious activity and materials could result in penalties similar to failure to report child abuse set out in the Children and Family Services Act.
To learn more about how the RCMP is combating online child sexual abuse: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ncecc-cncee/index-accueil-eng.htm.
Source: Release
