LLOYDMINSTER – The Crown has received more disclosure in the case against a man who was living at a home-based daycare and charged with 11 child pornography and sexual assault offences.
On Monday, North Battleford Crown prosecutor Charlotte Morden waived 40-year-old Joseph Sproull’s attendance and asked the court for an adjournment until Feb. 7 saying they have received further disclosure. Judge Kevin Hill granted the adjournment. Disclosure consists of the Crown’s case against the accused and usually includes search warrants, the charging document, details of the offence, audio/video and transcribed witness statements, statements from the accused, expert reports, exhibits, private communication intercept authorizations, evidence, and criminal records of witnesses and the accused.
Sproull was charged in September following a three-month police investigation that started after an online application alerted RCMP that child pornography videos were being uploaded to its platform.
Investigators have been working to identify the children in the images and meeting with the parents of the children who attended the day care. Police believe three young children were being assaulted in the photographs. According to court documents, the alleged incidents occurred between Aug. 26, 2020, and March 12, 2021, at or near Marshall. The RCMP didn’t release the ages of the victims to protect their identity.
On July 14, Saskatchewan Integrated Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) and Maidstone RCMP executed a search warrant at a residence on 1st Avenue East in Marshall where they found images of unidentified children being sexually assaulted by a man. The police investigation determined that the home-based day care was operating where Sproull lived. Investigators alerted the Government of Saskatchewan Ministry of Education the same day. The ministry suspended the day care’s licence two days later and advised all parents.
At the day care, police found two cell phones and two laptops allegedly belonging to Sproull.
In September, Sproull was released on a no cash bail with strict conditions including a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. There is a ban on publication of the location where Sproull is residing.
The charges against Sproull haven’t been proven in court.
Anyone who suspects they or their child has been a victim, or has information about these incidents, is asked to call North Battleford RCMP Provincial General Investigation Section at 306-446-1615.
Anyone requiring support from this investigation is asked to contact the Midwest Victim Services Program at 780-874-5021.
