Fredericton man charged with possessing, producing child sexual abuse material

A sign for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is pictured on June 23, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / Avery MacRae)

The New Brunswick RCMP has arrested a Fredericton man in connection to a child sexual abuse and exploitation material investigation.

Police received a tip about a child possibly in danger of further exploitation on Dec. 9, 2025. The next day, officers attended a Parkside Drive residence in Fredericton to safeguard the child, according to an RCMP news release.

“As part of the investigation, a 56-year-old man was arrested at the scene, and police seized several electronic devices as part of their investigation,” the release reads.

On Wednesday, Stephen Harpell was charged with:

• possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material
• sexual interference
• production of child sexual abuse and exploitation material
• voyeurism
• exposure to a person under the age of 16 for a sexual purpose

Harpell is scheduled to enter his plea to the charges in court on June 8.

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