Following a four-month long investigation by New Westminster police, Crown counsel has approved charges against an alleged child pornographer.
In March of this year, officers from New Westminster's major crimes unit began an investigation into the alleged possession of child pornography by a city resident. The investigation continued until July 10, when police submitted a report to Crown counsel recommending criminal charges against the resident, according to a media release.
Last Friday, Aug. 16, Crown counsel approved two charges against 50-year-old Steven Roth, the release added.
Roth, a New Westminster resident, has been charged with importing, distributing, selling or possessing for the purposes of distribution or sale of child pornography as well as possessing child pornography.
Roth has since been released from custody on the following conditions:
- He doesn't have any contact with children under the age of 16; he cannot be at any location where children under 16 may be, including parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, elementary schools and libraries;
- He permits a New Westminster police officer entry into his home - if requested - to confirm that all Internet-capable devices have been removed;
- He only uses the computer assigned to him by his employer and that it only connects to the network required to complete his work;
- His employer must be aware of all the terms of his bail and ensure he only uses the computer assigned to him;
- His employer must allow the police to check his computer use;
- He cannot have any administrative privileges on his computer; and he cannot access the Internet by any means, in any location - public or private.
Insp. Phil Eastwood said he couldn't provide any additional comments regarding the case at this time "as this matter is before the courts."
Roth's next court appearance is Aug. 28.
