Watch above: A small town in Saskatchewan is reacting with shock to child pornography charges laid this week against one of its residents. Meaghan Craig reports.
SASKATOON – A Saskatoon man nabbed in a joint police investigation is facing serious charges including sexual assault and making child pornography. On Wednesday, Michael John Slough appeared at provincial court after being arrested last week.
His charges are shocking to many. Not only is Slough charged with possessing child pornography, but making it as well after a laptop was turned into the Saskatoon Police Service last fall and a search warrant of his home was executed.
“At this time, Slough is charged with the following offences; administer a noxious substance, sexual assault times two, sexual interference times two, making child pornography times two and one charge of possession of child pornography,” said Staff Sgt. Weir with the Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit.
READ MORE: Sask. man charged with drugging, sexually assaulting 7-year-old girl
Arrested without incident on June 18, Slough’s alleged victim was a 7-year-old girl at the time. Police say the crimes are believed to have been committed in Saskatoon between December 2009 and January 2010.
Weir also confirmed that there is evidence the little girl was drugged during one of the sexual assaults.
“This young child was put through a great deal during this time period and we’re very thankful that she’s in a protective environment at this point.”
The sergeant said the child’s guardian is aware of the incident at this point. Weir also confirmed the mother of the child has not been located to tell her.
The news has shaken the small town of Willow Bunch, Sask., with a population of no more than 300 residents and where Slough has lived since late last year.
“It kinda blew me away when he was picked up last Thursday, everybody assumed drugs you know and then when this stuff came out holy man,” said Wayne Joyal, mayor of Willow Bunch.
“The 7-year-old, that’s just unspeakable.”
Joyal said he only met Slough once when he showed up at a council meeting but other than that Slough didn’t associate with any one.
“He kept to himself, you’d see him and his wife or girlfriend walking around every now and then.”
Police say the investigation into Slough’s activities is ongoing. Fifteen devices of Slough’s are now in their possession and the ones that have been examined have images and videos containing additional offences.
“At this point, these other potential victims that we have found appeared to be adult females.”
Police say they are confident they know the identification of the one woman and further follow-up with the other is underway.
At this time, police do not believe there are any other child victims out there but urge anyone who may have information pertaining to the case to contact their local police department.
Slough has been remanded and will appear again at provincial court on Thursday afternoon.
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