Digby man charged after border officers intercept ‘child sex doll’

CITYnews halifax / By Mark Hodgins

The RCMP charged a man with child pornography offences after Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers found a “child sex doll” addressed to a man in Digby.

According to police, CBSA officers in Hamilton, Ont. were looking at international shipments when they intercepted the doll, originally from Japan.

After investigating, CBSA officers referred the case to the RCMP because the packages were addressed to a man in Digby.

“On October 17, the RCMP executed a search warrant at the residence and seized additional child sex dolls and other evidence supporting both child pornography and smuggling charges,” the Mounties wrote in a media release.

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Police arrested Joseph Ryan Jolicoeur at the residence.

Jolicoeur, 43, is charged with possession and importing of child pornography and smuggling child pornography, a charge under the Customs Act.

“Child pornography is most commonly known and understood as sexual images or videos of children,” Cst. Mandy Edwards of the RCMP Provincial ICE Unit said. “However, child pornography can also be written, or in audio forms, or as in this case, a visual representation such as a child sex doll. Child pornography in all its forms is considered harmful and is prohibited by the Criminal Code.”

Jolicoeur was released on conditions and is expected to appear in court on Jan. 6, 2025.