The New Brunswick RCMP are turning to social media as they try to track down a suspected child abuser and child porn producer.

In a rare move, police are asking people to share pictures of the suspect on social media sites.

“We’re trying to get it out to as many people are we possibly can in hopes that we will be able to identify him and hopefully identify the victim as well,” says RCMP Const. Jullie Rogers-Marsh.

The pictures are captured from a video in which a man appears to be sexually abusing a girl who is about three years old.

Police say the video first appeared on the Internet in 2005 and various police agencies across North America have been trying to identify the man and the victim since then.

Investigators believe the video was produced somewhere in North America and that the girl is now likely between the ages of 10 and 12.

The video came to the attention of the New Brunswick RCMP during an unrelated investigation. They are now leading the investigation but say there is no way to tell if the suspect and victim are local.

“The video suggests that it was taken in North America…they could be, really, from anywhere,” says Rogers-Marsh. “So this is why we’re trying to reach out to as many people are possible to try to identify him.”

Jean Sauvageau, an associate professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at St. Thomas University, says police often turn to the public for help, but not usually on this scale.

He says it could help their case, but could also cause problems.

“It could maximize, also, the number of false reports and the frenzy on social media could catch up and all kinds of names could be circulated which could lead to all kinds of situations of false accusations, embarrassing situations, possibly ruining someone’s life in the process,” says Sauvageau.

The suspect is described a white male with brown hair. He has a distinctive circular mark on his right forearm and a ring on his left hand.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Andy Campbell



