Captain who admitted guilt in child porn case still working at military college

A Canadian Forces officer who pleaded guilty to accessing child pornography is still on the job at the army’s command and staff college in Kingston.

Capt. James Fancy of Belleville was arrested May 30, 2018, as part of efforts to crack down on child exploitation and pornography. Fancy, then 56, was charged by the Belleville Police Service with possession of child pornography and making child pornography available.

Fancy pleaded guilty to accessing child pornography in November 2020 but continues in his position as assistant operations officer at the Canadian Army Command and Staff College.

His LinkedIn profile indicates he has been at that job since July 2015 and before that was the administration officer for the Canadian Forces SkyHawks parachute team.

Fancy is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 13.

After the guilty plea, the Canadian Forces started an administrative review, which is expected to be completed in early 2021. “While the review is ongoing the member continues to be employed by the Canadian Army Command and Staff College in a limited capacity,” noted public affairs officer Capt. Derek Reid.

“The Canadian Armed Forces strongly condemns this type of behaviour and one of the imposed administrative actions can be a release” from the military, he added in an email.

No other details were provided.

The Canadian Forces did not answer the question about why Capt. Fancy continues to be employed in his job if the military strongly condemns his behaviour of accessing child pornography.

The mission of the Canadian Army Command and Staff College is to “deliver high quality, relevant and progressive education and training in order to prepare officers and NCM for employment in command and staff positions at the tactical level.”

Another Canadian Forces member is also facing a child pornography charge. Last week, police in Victoria, B.C. charged the officer and cadet instructor with possession of child pornography.

Maj. Michael Ryan Tellier, 35, was arrested Sept. 30 when police searched his home and seized found images of child sexual abuse.

Tellier, who was commanding officer of a cadet squadron, was suspended from the cadet organization immediately after his arrest. A court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 11.