N.S. man facing child pornography charges in transcontinental investigation

Nova Scotia RCMP have charged a 25-year-old Annapolis County man with a number of sexual assault, child pornography and bestiality offences following an investigation that spanned four provinces and the United States.

A news release from the Mounties said they received a report in March about a device suspected of containing child pornography. 

They say multiple search warrants were carried out on phones and computers. Officers identified adult and youth victims and witnesses in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, British Columbia and the United States.

Keegan Hamilton of Port Lorne, N.S., is facing 19 charges including sexual assault, distribution of child pornography, arrangement or agreement to commit a sexual offence against a child, bestiality and failure to comply with a probation order.

Hamilton appeared in court on Sept. 11 and was released on conditions, including that he cannot possess a phone or other device capable of accessing the internet and he cannot communicate with or be in the presence of anyone under the age of 16.

He is expected to appear in court again on Nov. 6. 

RCMP believe there are more victims

RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Carlie McCann would not say how many alleged victims there are, but said police believe there are more victims out there.

"Anyone who has information or has been a victim of this or other similar offences is encouraged to reach out to the police in their community," said McCann in an interview Friday,

"We know that people sometimes aren't comfortable speaking with police and so we want to encourage people to access the resources that are available to them. This can be Victim Services or other community resources."

She added that victims can call police and discuss an incident before deciding to participate in the investigation and court process.

Suspected offences can also be reported by using Canada's national tip line at www.cybertip.ca. 

The RCMP said its investigation included many other agencies including its counterparts in New Brunswick and British Columbia, Nova Scotia's Department of Justice Victim Services and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

This is not the first time Hamilton has been charged with a sexual offence. In April 2023, he received a conditional sentence and 24 months probation for obtaining sexual services for consideration from a person under 18 years of age.