Nova Scotia RCMP charges Woodstock man for additional sexual offences involving youth

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A Woodstock man is facing more charges as a result of an investigation by Mounties in Eastern Canada.

The West Hants RCMP General Investigation Section has now charged Sebastien Michael Vienneau with more than 40 sexual offences involving youth as part of an investigation that began in 2022.

In August 2025, the 29-year-old Vienneau appeared in Kentville Provincial Court to face charges of luring a child, indecent communications, and transmitting sexually explicit material to a child.

The ongoing investigation has now led the RCMP to charge him with 30 counts of luring a child, eight counts of making sexually explicit material available to a child, and two counts each of indecent communications and making child pornography. He also faces single counts of possessing child pornography, accessing child pornography and making child pornography available

The charges were laid in Kentville Provincial Court on Dec. 11, and police say the offences involve 30 victims, all of whom were youth at the time.

“This extensive investigation demonstrates a steadfast commitment by investigators to determine the facts of the matter,” says Staff Sgt. Ed Nugent, West Hants RCMP. “It involved many units and agencies working toward a common goal of identifying victims and ensuring all appropriate charges would be laid.”

Lead investigator Cst. Dave Trenholm spoke to the Echo and said there is a possibility more victims are out there.

“With the nature of these types of offences taking place on the internet, there is lots of access out there in terms of geography in Canada, the United States and elsewhere. We turn over so many stones and we find what we find and we lay charges on the evidence.”

Trenholm wouldn’t comment on whether the RCMP has found victims in other jurisdictions but would say police forces across Canada work closely together on these types of investigations.

“If there is another police force that can assist us with advancing our investigation we’ll reach out and work together to bring the file closer to a resolution or to charges.”

He added the investigation came to Nova Scotia after the first identified victim was located in West Hants.

“A complaint was generated at the local detachment, as often is the case when these things come to light. An investigation took place and then, through a series of judicial authorization and some police work, we were able to identify the alleged suspect and file charges.”

Trenholm admitted these types of investigations are extremely time-consuming due to the online nature of the offences but added Canadian police forces work well together in the best interest of victims.

“It’s kind of a borderless crime, so there is a lot of motivation for people to work together when there is a reasonable prospect to identify somebody and bring them to court.”

A total of eight RCMP units and agencies in Nova Scotia are involved in the investigation, along with the Waterloo Regional Police Service, Woodstock Police Service, and the Department of Justice’s International Assistance Group.

Vienneau appeared in Kentville Provincial Court on Jan. 6, where the charges were read.

When asked about this case, Trenholm explained he goes straight into prevention mode to educate people on the dangers of the internet.

“These cases happen a lot. If there’s anything to take away, any public messaging to go out when you’re reporting on this story, an education piece for parents to really be tuned in to how their children are utilizing the internet.”

He added when he was growing up in the early days of the internet there were no parental protections.

“It was very much like the Wild West. Today, there are a multitude of parental controls. Check in with your kids to see what apps they have on their phones and who they are communicating with. There are certain apps kids can’t use as they would be breaching the terms of service.”

Trenholm said as hard as it can be, the best way to prevent these types of crimes is to be aware of what’s going on.

“It’s a really difficult thing to do and kids are very resourceful when it comes to accessing the internet. But, having that conversation with your kids and checking in with them to see how they are doing and who they are talking to online are all important steps to improve internet safety.”