Woodstock, NB: An American has been sentenced for smuggling of child pornography into Canada.
Eugene Williams, 66, of Houlton, Maine, was sentenced in the Woodstock Provincial Court to 12 months jail after pleading guilty to smuggling child pornography following an investigation by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
On April 10, 2018, Williams arrived at the Woodstock, New Brunswick border crossing seeking entry to Canada and was referred for secondary examination. During the examination, numerous digital devices were discovered. As a result of multiple indicators, the digital devices were detained and Williams was denied entry to Canada, said a CBSA statement.
Upon further examination of the electronic devices, and a subsequent investigation by CBSA Criminal Investigations, it was determined that some of the devices contained images of child pornography. Williams was charged with smuggling under section 159 of the Customs Act.
Tried to re-enter
He was arrested on June 18, 2019 when he again sought entry to Canada.
“The CBSA is committed to keeping child pornography out of our communities. These seizures reaffirm our role in the efforts to prevent the exploitation of children in Canada and around the world,” said Dominic Mallette, Director, Enforcement and Intelligence Division, CBSA Atlantic Region.
Quick Facts
- The CBSA is responsible for the enforcement of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the Customs Act and conducts investigations into possible violations when there is evidence or information of a violation.
- Officers look for indicators of deception and use a risk management approach in determining which goods may warrant a closer look.
- Officers examine digital devices when there are a multiplicity of indicators that signal such an examination is required to confirm or negate the officer’s suspicions surrounding the admissibility of the traveller themselves or their goods.