Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
A 53-year-old man from Fredericton, N.B., has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to a number of charges, including making child pornography.
The investigation, led by the New Brunswick RCMP’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit, began in October 2022, following information received from the RCMP’s National Child Exploitation Crime Centre (NCECC).
On October 19, 2022, members of the RCMP ICE Unit, along with members of the Blackville RCMP and the RCMP’s Digital Forensic Services, executed a search warrant at a residence in the Fredericton area, as part of the investigation. A 53-year-old man from the community was arrested at the scene, and police seized several electronic devices. The man was later released pending a future court appearance.
On January 13, 2023, George Patrick Derrick Smith appeared in Fredericton Provincial Court and was charged with:
- two counts of sexual interference
- possession of child pornography
- sexual assault
- making child pornography
On August 24, George Patrick Derrick Smith pled guilty to sexual interference, making child pornography, and possession of child pornography. He was subsequently sentenced to five years in prison. Upon his release, he will be ordered to register with the National Sex Offender Registry for 20 years and is subject to a DNA order.
The New Brunswick RCMP’s Internet Child Exploitation Unit includes members from the Saint John Police Force and the Kennebecasis Regional Police Force. The RCMP’s Digital Forensic Services Unit and members from the Northeast District RCMP assisted with the investigation.