A man from Red Pheasant Cree Nation has been handed a six-year prison sentence for what a judge described as “horrific” actions. Blaisen Nicotine, 27, admitted to inappropriate contact with two minors for sexual purposes and the dissemination of child pornography. During Nicotine’s sentencing in Battleford Court of King’s Bench, Justice Brenda Hildebrandt condemned the “horrific” nature of the incidents involving the children.

One of the incidents transpired at a school within Red Pheasant Cree Nation, as reported by the RCMP following Nicotine’s initial arrest. The case came to light after the Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation Unit was alerted by the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children about a video being marketed on a social media platform. Nicotine was reportedly attending adult education courses at the school.

According to the information presented during Nicotine’s sentencing, he was in a restroom stall recording himself engaging in lewd behavior when a young student entered the area. Nicotine then beckoned the child over and recorded the interaction on his phone, even pulling the child’s arm towards him at one point. Nicotine subsequently shared the videos on a social media platform, circulating them to multiple individuals.

The second victim, a 13-year-old who falsely claimed to be 18, engaged in sexual activities with Nicotine after disclosing his real age a few days into their initial online meeting. Nicotine continued the relationship, involving sexual encounters at a private residence over a 10-day period. The identities of the victims remain protected by a publication ban, with no victim impact statements submitted to the court.

Crown prosecutor Danie Cillers and defense attorney Daryl Royer jointly proposed a six-year prison term, acknowledging the severity of Nicotine’s background, marked by early exposure to violence, alcohol abuse, and drug misuse. Nicotine also endured childhood victimization by both strangers and family members. Nicotine expressed remorse during the sentencing, stating his regret for his actions and emphasizing his desire to become a better person.

Accepting the six-year prison recommendation, the judge recognized its appropriateness given the circumstances, despite being considered relatively lenient. Hildebrandt commended Nicotine’s guilty pleas for sparing the children from testifying and urged him to utilize the rehabilitation programs available in prison. Nicotine is set to serve just under three years and nine months after factoring in time already spent in custody.