Hopefully with greater awareness and harsher punishments, news like this will become a thing of the past.
The Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation Unit was involved in a multi-agency Canada wide investigative project-Operation called Snapshot III which ran from February 1 to May 27 and involved ICE investigative Units from across Canada. The intiative resulted in one Yorkton arrest.
The project focused on individuals utilizing file sharing networks where child sexual abuse media is disseminated, as well as any other networks where child exploitation occurs.
During SNAPSHOT III, the Saskatchewan ICE Unit initiated 15 investigations and executed 12 search warrants throughout the Province, and 33 Criminal Code charges were laid. Eleven persons have been charged at this time. Three cases will be followed up in the next couple weeks.
The following persons were identified and charged through the Project:
1. James Patrick LALONDE (July 23, 1978) Zenin Park, Sask. Charged: Accessing Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography; Make Available Child Pornography
2. Kevin James LEIBEL (Nov 7, 1972) Balgonie, Sask. Charged: Accessing Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography; Make Available Child Pornography
3. Todd Michael FITZPATRICK (July 28, 1973) Moose Jaw, Sask. Charged: Accessing Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography; Make available Child Pornography
4. Ryan Christopher PALUMBO (September 25, 1986) Yorkton, Sask. Charged: Accessing Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography; Make Available Child Pornography
5. Gary Kevin NUSPL (April 24, 1965) Neilburg, Sask. Charged: Accessing Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography; Unlawfully in a dwelling; Theft under $5,000.00; Interception of private communications; Possession of Interception Devices
6. Devon James KUPIEC (June 2, 1991) Regina, Sask. Charged: Accessing Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography
7. Terrance WIGGINS (May 4, 1981) Manor, Sask. Charged: Accessing Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography; Make Available Child Pornography
8. Russell Dennis WOLFE (March 6, 1959)
Saskatoon, Sask. Charged: Accessing Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography; Make Available Child Pornography
9. Todd Jason STAPLES (February 23, 1984) Pierceland, Sask. Charged: Accessing Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography; Make Available Child Pornography
10. Paul Anthony BURKE (June 8, 1981) Saskatoon, Sk. Charged: Accessing Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography
11. Trevor Frank HARRISON (October 23, 1966) Saskatoon, Sk. Charged: Accessing Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography
Numerous computers and media devices were seized and thousands of images/videos will be examined for court purposes. At this time, we do not believe there is any association between any of the charged persons.
The Saskatchewan ICE Unit continues to work collaboratively with the various municipal police departments, RCMP detachments and outside agencies throughout the Province as we investigate offenders who continue to exploit our children through the use of the Internet.
The Unit is an Integrated Unit comprised of members from the RCMP, Prince Albert Police Service, Saskatoon Police Service and the Regina Police Service. It is funded by the Provincial Government and with their continued financial backing and support we have been able to achieve the level of training and expertise required in investigating these types of offenses.
The mandate is to reduce Internet facilitated child sexual exploitation by identifying victimized children and investigating and assisting in the prosecution of sexual predators who are utilizing the Internet to prey upon children.
