A man from Red Pheasant Cree Nation has been handed a six-year prison sentence for committing what the judge described as “horrific” offenses. Blaisen Nicotine, 27, admitted to sexually touching two minors and sharing child pornography.
Justice Brenda Hildebrandt, during Nicotine’s sentencing at Battleford Court of King’s Bench, condemned the abhorrent acts committed against the children. One of the incidents occurred at a school on Red Pheasant Cree Nation, with the RCMP discovering it after a video was reported to the Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation Unit.
Nicotine, as per the agreed facts presented during the sentencing, filmed himself engaging in inappropriate behavior in a bathroom stall and involved a young student in the act. He later shared the videos on social media. Additionally, Nicotine had a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old, who misrepresented his age as 18 when they met online.
Despite the seriousness of the crimes, Crown prosecutor Danie Cillers and defense attorney Daryl Royer jointly recommended a six-year prison term for Nicotine. Both legal representatives acknowledged Nicotine’s troubled background, marked by exposure to violence, substance abuse, and victimization during childhood.
Expressing remorse in court, Nicotine sought forgiveness for his actions and expressed a desire to amend his ways. The judge accepted the six-year prison recommendation, considering it appropriate given the circumstances. Hildebrandt emphasized that Nicotine’s guilty pleas spared the victims from testifying and urged him to utilize available rehabilitation programs while serving his sentence. After factoring in time served, Nicotine has approximately three years and nine months remaining in his prison term.