A4

Terry Davidson
Telegraph-Journal

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A Gagetown military man has been charged with three offences relating to child pornography following an investigation by the Canadian Forces.

Second-Lieutenant Joel Robert Charlebois of Canadian Forces Base Gagetown has been charged under the Criminal Code with making available, possessing and accessing child pornography. The offences are alleged to have occurred between August 2007 and February 2008.

The alleged offences were committed when Charlebois was off duty and did not involve the use of military computers, the Department of National Defence stated in a release.

The investigation was handled by the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service, an military police unit.

According to Canadian Forces public affairs officer Capt. Paule Poulin, Charlebois has been a member of the Canadian Forces since December 2006. He completed basic training in Saint John and is currently a member of the Armour School at CFB Gagetown's combat training centre.

Poulin said the case will be handled by a civilian court, but could not provide a court date. She also said Charlebois would be responsible for his own legal defence and has the right to ask that a lawyer be appointed to him through the court.

"The possession of child pornography is illegal and completely unacceptable," said Maj. Brian Frei, acting commanding officer of the CFNIS.

"The military police consider this to be a serious matter and will thoroughly investigate any allegations of making available, possession or distribution of child pornography."

The military police investigation service was created in the late 1990s and investigates "serious and sensitive matters" in relation to Canada's military, said Capt. Poulin.