Warning: This story contains details that may be disturbing to some readers
LLOYDMINSTER - A man residing at a home-based day care - who is charged with sexual assault and distribution of child porn - was also the manager of the Lloydminster Handivan Society.
Joseph Sproull, 40, of Marshall was arrested in July and charged with three counts of sexual assault and three counts of sexual interference against a child, as well as possession of, and distribution of child porn.
RCMP say it was determined that a home-based day care was operating at the residence where Sproull lived.
SASKTODAY.ca has learned that Sproull was also the manager of Lloydminster HandiVan Society. In 2018 Lloydminster Handivan Society changed its name to Border City Connects Society. They operate BCCareavan, which provides transportation for able bodied and physically challenged people to out-of-town non-emergency medical appointments.
An employee with BCCareavan said Sproull no longer works with them, adding, “Absolutely not. It would not be right if he was working for the handivan.”
He wouldn’t confirm when Sproull stopped working for them.
The employee said Sproull was with them for “many, many years,” and they had no complaints against him.
He stressed that Sproull never worked in a driver capacity for the handivan society.
Residents of Lloydminster and area, however, say that not only did Sproull drive the handivan but he also drove school bus for elementary students at Jack Kemp School.
Lacey Oickle said Sproull was her son’s bus driver.
“He was my son’s bus driver for years, from Grade 1 up to recently and he picked him up nearly every morning.”
Amber Rivera said when she worked for a company in Lloydminster that supports people with developmental disabilities, Sproull was the handivan driver.
“Some of the clients were definitely vulnerable females,” said Rivera.
The Jack Kemp School was contacted but declined to comment other than to say the bus drivers are contracted out and to contact the school division. The Lloydminster Public School Division was contacted but didn’t respond.
Sproull was released on no cash bail with strict conditions after appearing in Lloydminster Provincial Court Sept. 28. He has a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., must not be near any public parks, swimming areas, school grounds, playgrounds, daycare centres or community centres where there are children under 16.
He isn’t to obtain or continue any employment or be a volunteer that involves being in a position of trust or authority towards a child under 16. He isn’t allowed to use a computer to communicate with children under 16, not possess or access a cell phone or any device capable of accessing the Internet, except as required for employment, educational or other purposes approved by his probation officer.
Sproull was also ordered to submit to any search of himself, his vehicle, and residence without a warrant.
There is a ban on publication of the location where Sproull will be residing.
According to court documents, the alleged incidents occurred between Aug. 26, 2020, and March 12, 2021, at or near Marshall.
According to RCMP, on July 14 Saskatchewan Integrated Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) and the Maidstone RCMP executed a search warrant at a residence on 1st Avenue East in Marshall after receiving a report from an online application that child pornography videos were uploaded on their platform.
The police investigation determined that a home-based day care was operating where Sproull lived and investigators alerted the Government of Saskatchewan Ministry of Education the same day. The Ministry of Education suspended the day care licence two days later and advised all parents.
At the day care, police found two cell phones and two laptops allegedly belonging to Sproull. After a forensic examination investigators located images of unknown children being sexually assaulted by a male.
Investigators are working to identify the children in the images and meeting with the parents of the children who attended the day care. Police believe three young children were being assaulted in the photographs. The Saskatchewan RCMP says they won’t release the specific age of the victims to protect their identity.
All those affected by the alleged incidents are receiving support from victim services.
The charges against Sproull haven’t been proven in court. He appears next in Lloydminster Provincial Court Oct. 18 to elect how he wants to be tried.
Police say they are still investigating. Anyone who suspects they or their child has been a victim, or has information about these incidents, is asked to call North Battleford RCMP Provincial General Investigation Section at 306-446-1615. Anyone who requires support during this investigation is asked to contact the Midwest Victim Services Program at 780-874-5021.
Story updated to reflect comments from Lloydminster and area residents.
ljoy@glaciermedia.ca
