Woodstock man charged with sex offences

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A three-year investigation has resulted in a city man being charged with sexual offences in connection with alleged online communication with a Nova Scotia female.

West Hants RCMP responded to a report in November 2022 that a girl had received concerning messages and sexually explicit material from an unknown person through a social media platform.

The story was first reported by journalist Steve Bruce of the Annapolis Valley Register in Nova Scotia.

“Members of the Nova Scotia RCMP digital forensics unit analyzed the content on the teen’s phone. West Hants RCMP then took steps to digitally trace the source of the communications, leading investigators to suspect they came from a 29-year-old man in Woodstock, Ont.,” read the story.

With assistance from the Woodstock Police Service and the RCMP’s Transnational Serious and Organized Crime Unit in Kitchener, investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in Woodstock. Police seized electronic devices, which were taken to Nova Scotia for forensic examination as part of the ongoing investigation.

As a result of the investigation, Sebastien Vienneau, a 29-year-old Woodstock resident, was charged on May 29 with three offences: luring a child under the age of 18 for the purpose of committing a sexual offence, indecent communications, and making sexually explicit material available to a child. A Canada-wide warrant was issued for Vienneau’s arrest in August.

Investigators travelled to Ontario on Aug. 25 and arrested Vienneau. Police allege the offences were committed on Nov. 12, 2022. The RCMP said the investigation is ongoing and more charges are anticipated.

“Vienneau made his first appearance in Kentville provincial court Aug. 28. A bail hearing was scheduled for Sept. 2 but was adjourned until Sept. 5 to give the defence time to perfect a release plan. Judge Angela Caseley placed a publication ban on the identity of the complainant and ordered Vienneau to have no contact with her,” added the story.

“This investigation serves as an excellent example of the teamwork among units and agencies that is so often required to uncover the facts of a matter, identify a suspect and lay the appropriate charges,” said Sgt. Tim Doyle of West Hants RCMP in a recent news release.

“It also reflects the required tenacity of investigators.”