Man sentenced for possessing child porn
A Dartmouth man co-operated with police after he was arrested on child pornography charges in October 2020, telling them his life was screwed.
A forensic analysis of Frederick Vernon Jillett’s electronic devices turned up about 3,000 images of child pornography, primarily depicting infants and toddlers being sexually abused by men.
Police also seized sex toys from Jillett’s residence, including a simulated child’s vagina made of rubber.
Jillett, 39, pleaded guilty in Dartmouth provincial court last fall to a charge of possessing child pornography.
He was sentenced last week by Judge Bill Digby, who accepted a joint recommendation from lawyers for one year in jail – the mandatory minimum for the indictable offence – followed by two years’ probation.
The judge also ordered Jillett to provide a sample of his DNA for a national databank and register as a sex offender for 20 years.
Crown attorney Rob Kennedy said local authorities received a tip about a Dartmouth IP address as part of an international investigation into the sharing of child pornography by someone from New Zealand.
A search warrant was executed at Jillett’s apartment on Highfield Park Drive on Oct. 29, 2020. He wasn’t home at the time but was arrested later.
Jillett admitted to investigators that he had downloaded and viewed child pornography. He gave police the passwords to his devices and stated that his roommate had no knowledge of his illegal activity.
Kennedy said the size and nature of Jillett’s child pornography collection were aggravating factors. He said the probation order was tailored at both rehabilitation of the offender and protection of the public.
Defence lawyer Tony Amoud said his client was remorseful for his actions.
A forensic sexual behaviour assessment found Jillett poses a low risk to reoffend. Amoud said the fact Jillett agreed to undergo the assessment shows he wants to address his issues.
“(He) does want to get better and move on from this and does not want to continue with this type of behaviour,” the lawyer said.
The judge said that by downloading the images, Jillett was encouraging the sexual exploitation of children.
While on probation, Jillett must take part in any counselling deemed necessary by his supervisor and stay away from parks, pools, playgrounds, community centres, schools, daycares and other places where children are likely to be present.
He’s prohibited from having contact with anyone under the age of 16 unless it’s in the presence of a parent or guardian. He also cannot hold any paid or volunteer position that would give him authority over children and can only use the internet for employment purposes and medical appointments.
The Crown withdrew a charge of distributing child pornography.