Child Exploitation Material Charge Laid in Burton, New Brunswick

Community Safety Alert for New Brunswick Residents

The New Brunswick RCMP Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit has charged a 40-year-old man from Burton, N.B. in connection with an investigation into child sexual abuse and exploitation material. The charge follows a specialized investigation that began after such material was reportedly located on an electronic device linked to another ongoing police matter.

On June 29, 2026, Jared Josiah Smith, 40, appeared in Fredericton Provincial Court and was formally charged with accessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material. He had previously been arrested on April 22, 2026 by members of the ICE Unit and was already in custody on unrelated matters while subject to strict conditions related to this case.

Official Details from New Brunswick RCMP ICE Unit

According to the New Brunswick RCMP Internet Child Exploitation Unit, the current charge stems from evidence uncovered during a separate police investigation.

Key investigative details include:

• In April 2024, a separate investigation was initiated by New Brunswick police.
• During that investigation, child sexual abuse and exploitation material was reportedly found on an electronic device.
• In December 2025, the New Brunswick ICE Unit was formally advised of the material by the New Brunswick Major Crime Unit, prompting a dedicated child exploitation investigation.
• On April 22, 2026, the ICE Unit arrested a 40-year-old man from Burton, New Brunswick in relation to the exploitation material inquiry.
• Following his arrest, the man was placed on strict conditions tied to this specific investigation, while remaining in custody on other outstanding charges.
• On June 29, 2026, Jared Josiah Smith (40) was charged in Fredericton Provincial Court with the following offence:

• Accessing Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material

The New Brunswick ICE Unit responsible for this investigation is a specialized team that includes members of the Kennebecasis Regional Police Force, working jointly to identify and disrupt online child exploitation across the province.

Public Information and How to Report

The investigation remains active. While the RCMP release does not request help locating a specific person, police are encouraging anyone who believes they are a victim of similar offences, or who may have information connected to child sexual exploitation, to come forward.

If you have information or believe you may be affected:

• Contact your local police service to report concerns related to child sexual exploitation or suspicious online activity.
• To remain anonymous, reach out to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), use the secure P3 Mobile App, or submit a Secure Web Tip via www.crimenb.ca.

Anonymous tips and early reporting are critical in child exploitation cases. Communities across Canada, from smaller jurisdictions to areas such as Bengough No. 40 in Saskatchewan, where crime trends and safety data are continually monitored, benefit when residents share information that may protect vulnerable individuals.

CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, this case in New Brunswick underscores the serious and often hidden nature of online child sexual exploitation. These offences typically involve digital evidence, can span many months or years, and often intersect with other investigations before being fully uncovered by specialized police units. Even a single device containing child sexual abuse material can represent harm to numerous children and an ongoing cycle of victimization.

To help reduce the risk in your household and community, we urge parents, caregivers, and guardians to take concrete steps: keep communication open with children about their online activity, regularly review privacy settings on devices and apps, and be attentive to sudden changes in behaviour that may signal online grooming or exploitation. Anyone who discovers suspicious images, messages, or online interactions involving minors should document what they see without sharing or forwarding the material, and then report it immediately to local police or Crime Stoppers. Communities that stay informed about crime trends and make use of available data—similar to how we provide localized crime statistics and safety information for Canadian regions—are better equipped to prevent harm and support law enforcement in protecting children.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the new-brunswick community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.