Middleton man facing child pornography charges after N.S. RCMP search home

An RCMP vehicle is seen in this file photo. (CTV News Regina)

A 32-year-old Middleton, N.S., man is facing child pornography charges after police searched his home as part of a nationwide investigation into online child sexual exploitation in February.

The RCMP’s Provincial Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit executed a search warrant at the home on Main Street on February 27. Police say they seized several electronic devices, including smartphones, computers and a hard drive.

“On May 1, after a forensic examination and analysis of the seized devices, the RCMP ICE Unit, with assistance from the RCMP Interview Assistance Team, safely arrested Devin Doucette,” reads a news release from the RCMP.

Doucette has been charged with possession of child pornography and failure to comply with prohibition order.

Doucette appeared in Digby provincial court on May 1 and was released by the court on conditions. He is scheduled to return to court on June 9.

Project Steel

“This investigation was part of Project Steel, a collaborative effort by law enforcement partners across Canada to target online child sexual exploitation offenders,” reads the release.

Sixty-three police forces across Canada conducted Project Steel between Feb. 17 and 28.

According to a national RCMP news release on March 5, police seized 1,132 electronic devices, arrested 106 people, and safeguarded 37 children in connection with the operation.

At least a dozen people from the Maritimes have now been arrested and are facing charges related to the Project Steel investigation.

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