Saskatchewan police make multiple arrests in child porn crackdown

Police in Saskatchewan have arrested five people on child exploitation charges as part of a nationwide operation targeting online child sexual abuse. 

Project STEEL, a coordinated effort involving 63 law enforcement agencies across Canada, led to 106 arrests nationally between February 17-28.

In Saskatchewan, the Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit executed six search warrants during the two-week period. 

The investigations resulted in charges against Nikola Ecim, 38, of Regina, Peter Palmer, 36, of Regina, Kieran Stevenson-Hastings, 36, of Moose Jaw, Blaisen Nicotine, 25, of Cando, and Donald Church, 66, of Lloydminster.

The charges vary and include possession, accessing, and making available child pornography. 

Ecim faces additional firearms charges including unauthorized possession and unsafe storage. 

Nicotine is charged with more serious offences, including making and distributing child pornography, sexual assault, sexual interference, and indecent acts. 

Police say Nicotine met a victim at the Red Pheasant Cree Nation school where he was taking adult education classes.

The Saskatchewan ICE Unit, made up of RCMP and police from Regina, Saskatoon, and Prince Albert, continues to investigate internet-related child exploitation crimes as part of Project STEEL. 

The RCMP says Project STEEL is part of ongoing efforts to protect children and bring child sex offenders to justice.