N.B. man sentenced to 5 years for possessing, transmitting child sex abuse material

A New Brunswick man who pleaded guilty to possessing and transmitting child sexual abuse material has been sentenced to five years in prison.

Joel Gilles Robichaud of Grand-Barachois, N.B., was sentenced Tuesday in Moncton provincial court.

The RCMP started investigating Robichaud in August 2025 after receiving information from its National Child Exploitation Crime Centre.

Police seized several electronic devices while executing a search warrant at a home in Grand-Barachois on Sept. 18, 2025.

Robichaud, 45, was arrested at the scene and charged with possession of child pornography, transmission of child pornography, and failure to comply with a prohibition order.

He pleaded guilty on April 10, 2026, to possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material, transmission of child sexual abuse and exploitation material, and failing to comply with a prohibition order.

According to the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, the term “child sexual abuse and exploitation material” has replaced the term “child pornography” under Canada’s Criminal Code.

After his release, Robichaud will be subject to court-ordered conditions for 25 years. Those conditions include not communicating with anyone under the age of 16 and not attending any place that someone under the age of 16 is known to be.

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