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HAY RIVER - A former Hay River resident has been returned to the NWT to face charges of child pornography and sexual assaults on two boys younger than 14. The charges stem back to 2007.

John Murray Melanson was taken into custody in Toronto on Sept. 25 and escorted to Yellowknife.

John Murray Melanson, a former Hay River resident, is facing child pornography, sexual assault and other charges dating back to 2007. - NNSL file photo

He was arrested on Feb. 22, 2007, but could not be returned to the North until he faced other charges.

Hay River RCMP Sgt. Ron Rose and another officer brought Melanson back to Yellowknife.

Rose said Melanson was picked up by the Hay River RCMP at a Toronto courthouse immediately after his sentencing on unrelated charges laid in Toronto and Winnipeg.

"He was given time served, which was the equivalent of three years on those matters," Rose said.

Melanson faces numerous charges in Hay River, including possession of child pornography and two counts each of sexual assault, sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching and breach of probation.

Rose said he was notified of a sentencing agreement between the Crown and the defence in Toronto and was waiting to detain Melanson after the conclusion of those hearings.

"At no time was he out of custody," Rose said.

On Sept. 26, Melanson was placed in remand at the North Slave Correctional Facility until his next Territorial Court appearance on Oct. 7.

Rose said it is undetermined if Melanson will be returned to Hay River. If guilty pleas are entered in Yellowknife, the matter may be dealt with there, he said.

Melanson, who was known in Hay River by the nickname "Fester," lived in the community from July 2006 to mid-January of last year.

No one in the community was aware of his extensive criminal record, including convictions for sexual assault, invitation to sexual touching, possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography.

A Hay River investigation into Melanson began in early 2007 with a request to police to help locate him when he didn't show up for work one day.

Melanson, who is in his mid-40s, had worked as a chef at a restaurant before suddenly leaving town.

During the investigation, the RCMP discovered Melanson was wanted in other provinces on warrants not related to sex offences.

The assault charges came to light when witnesses told police they saw images of child pornography on a computer owned by Melanson, who is originally from New Brunswick.

In his brief time in Hay River he became well-known, made friends and even volunteered - including three times in a home economics class at Diamond Jenness secondary school.

Melanson also played Santa Claus at a Christmas party for children at the NWT Centennial Library.

Hay River schools have since changed their policy on volunteers. All volunteers must undergo criminal record checks, whereas previously it was only required when working one-on-one with a student or leading a class.