DENINU KU’E/FORT RESOLUTION
A man who has faced child pornography charges since September 2013 now faces a new charge for allegedly breaching conditions of his bail.
According to an RCMP news release, Joseph King was arrested after an investigation in the community.
The RCMP did not offer any information on what the alleged breach may have been.
Crown attorney Kindra Lakusta, who is dealing with the child pornography charges, also could not offer details of the breach allegation.
"There's an ongoing police investigation into activities," she said. "And as a result, we can't really provide any more information."
After his arrest, the police brought King into custody, but was released on a new set of conditions during a court appearance in Yellowknife Feb. 24.
Lakusta explained the new undertaking cancels the previous one, and the accused was released on bail for all charges, including the newest breach charge.
There are 10 conditions for King's undertaking, including that he not access the Internet, not possess, use or access any computer or computer system that can store data or access the Internet, not possess or use cell phones that can access the Internet and not be within 20 metres of any playground, school or other public place predominantly frequented by people under the age of 16.
Other conditions ban him from consuming alcohol or other intoxicating substances, a requirement he keep the peace and be of good behaviour, an order where he is to live in Fort Resolution, that he stay in the NWT and that he advise the RCMP when he is leaving and returning to Fort Resolution.
King was arrested in September 2013 and charged with possession of child pornography, distributing child pornography and obstruction of a peace officer.
The charges resulted from the previous year's Operation Snapshot, an RCMP investigation into the distribution of child pornography images which focused on the nation's prairie and Northern regions.
Investigators allegedly discovered a computer in Fort Resolution was sharing child pornography images and videos via the Internet. Digital media storage devices were seized in a search of a residence on Oct. 9, 2012.
The RCMP's Technological Crime Branch in Ottawa completed a forensic analysis of the seized digital media, where investigators there determined some of the content met the definition of child pornography under the Criminal Code.
Lakusta said a preliminary inquiry on King's three original charges took place in November in Hay River.
"He was committed to stand trial on all three ... possession and distribution of child pornography and obstruction," she said.
Lakusta added the trial is to take place in the Supreme Court of the NWT in Yellowknife at a date yet to be determined.
She anticipates the trial, which will be determined by a judge only, is expected to take a week.
The new breach charge will be dealt with in NWT Territorial Court.
