Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Child Pornography and Weapons Charges

On the 11th of February at approximately 7:40 am officers from the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service’s Internet Child Exploitation Unit, the Emergency Services Unit, the Technological Crime Unit and Patrol executed a search warrant at 307 Beverley Street. This search warrant was part of a Province-wide initiative conducted on the 11th of February by the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from sexual abuse and exploitation on the internet. More than 18 police forces targeted child pornography in a series of raids across Ontario.
Officers seized computer systems from the home that allegedly contained numerous images and videos of child pornography. Officers also located and seized five firearms that were carelessly stored in the residence and one prohibited assault-type rifle that the accused did not have authorization to possess.
As a result, 39 year-old Stephen Burritt of 307 Beverley Street was arrested on the 11th of February at 8:05 am. He has been charged with the following offences and will be appearing in bail court this morning:
- four counts of possession of child pornography
- six counts of careless use or storage of a firearm
- one count of possession of a firearm knowing possession unauthorized
- one count of possession of a prohibited weapon knowing possession unauthorized

Youth Charged with Assault

A 14 year-old female youth was arrested on the 11th of February at 9:30 pm at a local Youth Home and charged with one count of assault and one count of breach of probation under the Youth Criminal Justice Act of Ontario. It is alleged that on the 11th of February at approximately 8:55 pm the accused assaulted another youth at the Youth Home by kicking him several times in the arm and stomach area. The victim received non-life threatening injuries. The accused is to appear in bail court this morning.

Arrested on Outstanding Warrant

34 year-old Christopher Belanger of 104 Smale Avenue was arrested on the 11th of February at 1:50 pm at his residence on an outstanding warrant and charged with one count of fail to appear in court from the 1st of February. He is to appear in court on the 10th of February.

Fail to Appear for Prints

46 year-old Kelly Labelle of 812 Bonney Street was arrested on the 11th of February at 9:25 am at the court house on an outstanding warrant and charged with one count of fail to appear for prints from the 29th of January. She is to appear in court on the 10th of March.

Breach of Probation

18 year-old Joshua Vanatta of 343 Korah Road was arrested on the 12th of February around 1:35 am on John Street for one count of breach of probation. It is alleged that around 1:30 am city police stopped and checked a vehicle that the accused was operating on John Street. When they ran a check on him they discovered he was on curfew conditions to be in his residence from 11 pm to 6am. He is to appear in court on the 17th of March.

Break & Enter

There was one break and enter report taken by city police yesterday to a residence on Grace Street that occurred sometime overnight on the 11th of February. Reported stolen were two tool bags, two pool cues and some beer.