The RCMP’s Provincial Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit has arrested a Smiths Cove man for child pornography offences.

On May 16, the RCMP’s ICE Unit searched a home in Smiths Cove, assisted by the RCMP’s Technological Crime Unit, Special Tactical Operations Team and Digby County RCMP.

Investigators were directed to the residence after they were contacted by the Walworth County Sherriff’s Office in Wisconsin, USA. A 12-year-old victim and a parent contacted authorities to report that the girl had been exploited online. Through a combined effort, law-enforcement agencies in the U.S. and Canada were able to determine that the suspect lived in Smiths Cove.

Patrick Thibault, 21, of Smiths Cove, was arrested at the home without incident. He has been charged with Luring a Child, Sexual Exploitation of a Young Person and Possession Child Pornography. Thibault was released by a Justice of the Peace on conditions and is scheduled to appear in court on June 26.

In Nova Scotia it is 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 Child and Family Services Act. The RCMP encourages citizens to be a voice for children who are victims of sexual exploitation by reporting any suspected offences to your local police or by using Canada’s National tipline for reporting online sexual exploitation of children at www.cybertip.ca.

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Source: Media Release