A man has been arrested and charged following investigations by the Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation Unit at a home-based daycare in Marshall.
On July 14, 2021, ICE and Maidstone RCMP executed a search warrant at a home on 1st Avenue East in Marshall. This after getting a report that child pornography videos were uploaded to an online application platform by said app.
Further investigation revealed that a home-based daycare was operating at the residence and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education was alerted the same day.
Officers found two cellphones and two laptops at the home. Upon forensic examination of the devices, investigators found images of unknown children allegedly being sexually assaulted by a man.
On July 16, the Ministry of Education suspended the daycare license and alerted parents.
On September 21st, 41-year-old Joseph Sproull, who lived at the daycare was arrested and charged. He has been remanded in custody and is making his first court appearance September 22 at the North Battleford Provincial Court.
Sproull is charged with one count each of alleged possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography, as well as three counts each of sexual assault, sexual interference and making available child pornography.
Saskatchewan RCMP believe three young children were allegedly being assaulted and they are working to identify the children in the images.
Investigators are meeting with parents and offering support through victims services resources. Information on the identities will not be released to protect the victims.
Officials in noting the anguish and heartbreak of this situation have indicated that all necessary resources are being made available to support the investigation. If residents think they or their child has been a victim or has information about these incidents, they can call North Battleford RCMP Provincial General Investigation Section at 306-446-1615.
Anyone needing support during this investigation can call the Midwest Victim Services Program at 780-874-5021.
North Battleford RCMP General Investigation Section has taken charge of this investigation with help from Saskatchewan ICE, Maidstone RCMP, RCMP National Victim Identification Unit, North Battleford RCMP Forensic Identification Unit and the Midwest Victim Services Program. Their investigation will seek to determine if there are more victims.
As this investigation is ongoing and the matter is before the court, no further information will be released by the RCMP at this time.