Police in Nova Scotia have executed multiple arrests as part of a national initiative aimed at cracking down on child pornography. The Nova Scotia RCMP participated in Project STEEL, which involved the coordinated execution of search warrants targeting offenders involved in online child sexual exploitation.
Cpl. Oliver Roberts of the RCMP expressed confidence in the operation's success both nationally and within the province, stating, “Project STEEL has been a great success nationally, as well as here in Nova Scotia. The coordinated execution of search warrants from Cape Breton to Yarmouth has highlighted the important work being done here and collaboratively across all jurisdictions. All police forces in this province are working hard every day to create and promote safe spaces for everyone, especially children.”
The operation led to four search warrants being executed last month, resulting in several arrests and the seizure of items that contained child pornography.
On February 18, police from the Kentville service conducted a search at a residence located on Forest Hill Road. During the search, investigators found child pornography stored on a cell phone. Subsequently, one individual was arrested and is facing charges related to the possession and transmission of child pornography.
The following day, on February 19, law enforcement units carried out a search at a residence on Highway 16 in Boylston. Officers discovered child pornography saved on a cell phone, leading to the arrest of 24-year-old James Thornley. Thornley has been charged with one count each of possession of child pornography and transmission of child pornography.
On February 20, police in Eskasoni executed a search at a home on Ginger Root Lane, where they discovered a substantial collection of child pornography organized on seized devices. One individual is expected to face charges connected to the possession and transmission of child pornography, while a second individual was taken into custody and later released without charges.
The final operation occurred on February 26, when police executed a search warrant at a business located on Highway 3 in Ste. Anne du Ruisseau. During this investigation, they arrested an individual identified as Stephen Doucette, 51, from Lower Argyle. Upon searching the premises, officers found multiple computers and media storage devices containing child pornography, along with two unsecured firearms. Doucette is facing multiple charges, including possession of child pornography, accessing child pornography, careless storage of a firearm, and unauthorized possession of a firearm.
The RCMP has indicated that the investigations are ongoing and will involve further analysis of the computers, phones, and other devices that were seized during the searches. The collective efforts of various law enforcement agencies have underscored the significant work being conducted to combat online child sexual exploitation.
