News release
New Brunswick RCMP arrest four individuals in connection with online child sexual exploitation investigations
March 5, 2025
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Fredericton, New Brunswick
From: New Brunswick RCMP
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The New Brunswick RCMP’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit has arrested four individuals in the province in connection with a National online child sexual exploitation operation, known as Project Steel.
In total, four search warrants were executed in the province in connection with Project Steel, including two in Fredericton, one in Moncton, and one in Oromocto, resulting in the arrests of:
- A 44-year-old man from Moncton, N.B;
- A 37-year-old man from Fredericton, N.B;
- A 35-year-old man from Fredericton, N.B.; and
- A 35-year-old man from Oromocto, N.B.
A total of 26 digital devices were seized to further the investigations. The four individuals were later released on strict conditions, and will appear in court at later dates.
“We are thankful to have such good working partnerships with other police forces in New Brunswick,” said Cpl. Matt Leblanc-Smith of the New Brunswick RCMP. “We work tirelessly to hold those responsible for jeopardizing a child’s safety and wellbeing. Dozens of employees; both civilian and police officers, including 6 different law enforcement agencies, all played critical roles leading to these arrests.”
As part of Project Steel, the New Brunswick RCMP’s ICE unit worked in collaboration with the Codiac Regional RCMP, the Edmundston Police Force, the Fredericton Police Force, the Kennebecasis Regional Police Force, Saint John Police Force, and the Woodstock Police Force.
Nationally, Project Steel was a coordinated effort between the RCMP's National Child Exploitation Crime Centre, Ontario Provincial Police and the Sûreté du Québec, and assisted by many municipal police forces and other partnering agencies across the country. The majority of the warrants were executed between February 18 and February 27, 2025.
The New Brunswick RCMP’s Digital Forensics Services is also assisting with the ongoing investigations.
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Contacts
Cpl. Matt Leblanc-Smith
New Brunswick RCMP
rcmpnb.grcnb@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
506-452-4252