A man from Red Pheasant Cree Nation has been sentenced to six years in prison for committing what the judge described as appalling acts. Blaisen Nicotine, aged 27, admitted to touching two minors inappropriately and sharing child pornography. Justice Brenda Hildebrandt, during Nicotine’s sentencing at Battleford Court of King’s Bench, condemned the “horrific” nature of the crimes.
One of the incidents occurred at a school on Red Pheasant Cree Nation, as reported by the RCMP following a tip-off from the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children to the Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation Unit about a video available on a social media platform. Nicotine, who was attending adult education courses at the school, was found in a bathroom stall filming himself inappropriately when a young student entered. He then proceeded to involve the child in the recording and distributed the footage online.
The second victim, a 13-year-old, misrepresented his age as 18 when communicating with Nicotine online. Despite learning the truth shortly after their initial meeting, Nicotine engaged in sexual activities with the teen over a 10-day period at a private residence. The identities of the victims remain protected by a publication ban, and no victim impact statements were presented in court.
The sentencing, which took place at Battleford Court of King’s Bench, saw Crown prosecutor Danie Cillers and defense lawyer Daryl Royer jointly proposing a six-year prison term. Cillers noted that Nicotine’s troubled upbringing, marked by exposure to violence, alcohol abuse, and drug abuse from an early age, played a significant role in his actions. Royer highlighted the intergenerational trauma suffered by Nicotine’s family due to the impact of residential schools, leading to a cycle of substance abuse, violence, and neglect.
Nicotine expressed remorse in court, seeking forgiveness for his actions and expressing a desire to change for the better. Judge Hildebrandt, while deeming the recommended sentence as relatively lenient but appropriate given the circumstances, emphasized the importance of Nicotine utilizing available rehabilitation programs during his incarceration. With credit for time served, Nicotine is left with approximately three years and nine months of his sentence remaining.