Ward 3 Common Councillor Donnie Snook is facing a total of 8 charges, including possessing and making available child pornography, and touching a child under 16 for sexual purposes. Snook is flushed, appears slightly disheveled but otherwise shows no emotion when asked if charges are understood.
Snook is charged with 3 counts of sexual interference on a child under 16 years of age between December 2006 and January 2013. All the counts are in regards to the same victim. Two counts of possession of child pornography between March 2011 and January 2013. One count of making child pornography between March 2011 and January 2013. Two counts of making child pornography available between March 2011 and December 2012.
Snook has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in court for a bail hearing on January 14.
40-year-old Snook was taken into custody yesterday by the RCMP's Internet Child Exploitation Unit. A search warrant was executed. During the search, police seized computer equipment and child sexual abuse images.
In a release, the Mounties say the investigation involves the RCMP, Saint John Police Force and Toronto Police Service and dates back to 2011.
In a release from the Diocese of Fredericton, Archbishop Claude Miller says they were shocked and concerned to learn about the recent arrest of Donnie Snook, who is the Executive Director of the Saint John Inner City Youth Ministry.
The board of ICYM will address the situation at a meeting later today. Archbishop Miller assures the authorities they will cooperate fully in their investigation.
