Media UPDATE - Five-year Sentence Following Investigation by Saskatchewan ICE Unit and Australian Police

The Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation Unit has received an update on sentencing on an international file from Australia. Joshua Baird, age 26, of Swan Hill, Australia received a 5-year sentence for his online activities.

The Saskatchewan ICE unit became involved in the file in 2019 when a concerned parent brought the information to the Regina Police Service. An unknown person was attempting to lure a 14-year-old Regina female through two social media applications. The Saskatchewan ICE unit investigated and it was learned that it was an international file, which lead to working with the Australia authorities. Baird, a youth care worker based in Australia, was arrested and many more victims were located.

Great work and collaboration between Saskatchewan ICE, Australian Federal Police and Victoria Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team lead to his arrest.

The Saskatchewan ICE Unit is comprised of the Provincial Coordinator S/Sgt. Shawn Stubbs and investigators from Prince Albert Police Service, RCMP, Regina Police Service, and the Saskatoon Police Service. Their mandate is to investigate crimes involving the abuse and/or exploitation of children on the Internet.