Kids’ magician faces child pornography charges

Winnipeg magician charged with child porn offences Jeff Keele on the Winnipeg magician facing child pornography charges, and how those who hired the entertainer are reacting to the news.

A Winnipeg children’s magic show entertainer is facing a string of child pornography charges.

Police said they were alerted by the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children that between June 13 and Aug. 11, a local IP address was used to upload photos and videos of child pornography.

Police launched an investigation and on Aug. 24, investigators searched a home and seized a number of electronic devices.

Daniel Kamenicky, 39, is charged with making child pornography, possessing child pornography, distributing child pornography and voyeurism.

He was detained into custody.

Police said Kamenicky works as a children’s entertainer, performing magic shows under the name ‘Magic Dan’. They confirmed he also uses the name 'Dan the Magic Man.'

Officials said so far, there is no link between the children he provided entertainment for and the charges, but police say the investigation is not complete. They say the suspect was videotaping victims in the community in a sexual nature, most were between the ages of six and 10-years-old.

"If there are individuals who wish to speak to us who have not yet spoken to us in light of this information by all means we would lilke them to come forward,” said Const. Jason Michalyshen.

The Winnipeg Police Service Integrated Child Exploitation Unit continues to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to call 204-986-3296 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477.

Community reaction to charges:

Parents who have hired and watched the performer are in disbelief.

Christina Van Somer has a six-year-old boy, and her parent council group hired the magician in June to perform at a year-end barbecue at Lord Roberts School.

"Oh my God I was very shocked, I got goosebumps," said Van Somer.

CTV has been told Kamenicky also did his show in daycares and worked with elementary school children.

He's been an educational assistant at Windsor Elementary for the past two to three years, before that at Marion School.

Louis Riel School Division Superintendent Duane Brothers said there have been no reports to the division of an inappropriate behaviour.

However, Brothers said Kamenicky is suspended without pay and no matter what happens in court, he said the accused will not be welcomed back.

"Parents trust us with their kids, this is not a person who is going to be in our schools,” Brothers said.

The entertainer also worked for two weeks per summer at the University of Manitoba's Mini U program for kids over the last four years. The university says the accused was involved with Magic Mania but in a letter to parents say no questionable behaviour was observed or reported.

Jonathan Kamenicky wants people to know his brother is eccentric and did not intend to harm anyone.

"We just want to try and have the public to focus on what was good about Dan the Magic Man,” Jonathan said.

Daniel Kamenicky is charged with making, possessing and distributing child pornography and one count of voyeurism. He's presumed innocent and the allegations have not been tested in court.

University of Manitoba sends out notice:

The University of Manitoba sent out notices to parents of children who may have been enrolled in their Mini U programs this summer, including a Magic Mania camp that ran between 2012 and 2016.

“The WPS has at this time assured Mini U that there is no reason to believe that any incidents happened during this individual’s involvement with Mini U,” said the notice.

The notice also stated that staff are put through an intensive training program to identify and report any suspicion or disclosure of abuse.

“While the accused was working in the Magic Mania classroom, no suspicious or questionable behaviours was observed or reported during weekly performance reviews,” the notice said.

The U of M has established an information line at 204-474-6359 for those that may have any questions.

An excerpt from the notice is shown above. (Source: University of Manitoba)