Two Nova Scotia men charged with child sexual offences following FBI tip
An FBI tip regarding a Tennessee-based investigation led the RCMP to arrest two Nova Scotia men on charges related to child sexual abuse material and arranging a sexual offence against a child.
A tip from the FBI to the RCMP has resulted in criminal charges against two Nova Scotia men in connection with child sexual offences. The investigation began on Oct. 1 when police acted on information provided by the FBI regarding a Halifax-area man involved in a Tennessee-based investigation.
On that date, police executed search warrants at a residence and a business, seizing electronic devices and arresting two men. Brenton E. W. Mitchell, 39, was charged with making, distributing, and possessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material. He appeared in court on Oct. 2, remains in custody, and is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 26.
A forensic examination of the seized devices identified a second man in the Antigonish area who had communicated with Mitchell about the sexual abuse of a child. Gary Kennedy Chisholm, 49, was arrested in Antigonish on Nov. 4 and charged with making arrangements to commit a sexual offence against a child. Chisholm was released on conditions and is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 23.
Const. Kelli Hennessy of the RCMP Integrated Internet Child Exploitation Unit stated that the investigation highlights the importance of information sharing among policing partners.