Since the year 2000, the Greater Sudbury Police Service has been receiving reports of incidents involving jars containing sexually explicit handwritten materials found in various locations throughout the Vermilion Lake area of Greater Sudbury.

On July 12th, 2023, Greater Sudbury Police Service was notified that a community member had located a jar in the area of Gordon Lake Road, containing sexually explicit handwritten materials depicting sexual offences against children.

Most recently, on July 15th, 2023, another jar containing similar contents was located in the same vicinity by another community member.

The unique nature of these two most recent incidents led Police to believe that these incidents, as well as several historical incidents of similar nature dating back to the year 2000, were committed by the same offender.

So far, Police have received 10 reports relating to incidents of sexually explicit handwritten materials in jars, as described below:

  • July 22nd, 2000: jar located near Stobie Dam
  • July 23rd, 2000: jar located at Vermilion Lake boat launch
  • August 3rd, 2001: jar located on ATV trail near Stobie Dam
  • July 23rd, 2009: jar located on Pilon Crescent
  • May 30th, 2011: jar located near Stobie Dam
  • September 9th, 2011: jar located on ATV trail near Stobie Dam
  • July 12th, 2021: jar located on Simmons Road
  • July 30th, 2021: jar located near Vermilion Lake boat launch
  • July 12th, 2023: jar located on Pilon Crescent
  • July 15th, 2023: jar located on Gordon Lake Road

Throughout the ongoing investigation into this matter, members of our Integrated Crime Team observed a man accessing jars on multiple occasions in the abovementioned areas. On July 19th, 2023, the same man was observed on Gordon Lake Road exiting his vehicle, accessing a jar containing sexually explicit materials and placing additional materials into the jar.

Immediately following these observations, the man was placed under arrest and taken into custody.

The offender has been identified as 86-year old Russell Brosseau of Greater Sudbury and has been charged with the following offences under the Criminal Code of Canada:

  • Making Child Pornography contrary to Sec. 163.1(2) CC (X 10)
  • Distribution of Child Pornography contrary to Sec. 163.1(3) CC (X 10)

Russell Brosseau is currently being held at GSPS headquarters and will attend Bail Court today, July 20th, 2023 to answer to the charges.

Police have seized Russell Brosseau’s motor vehicle and residence pending search warrants. 

Due to the graphic nature of the evidence collected in this investigation so far, Police are concerned that there may be additional incidents, both recent and historical, involving Russell Brosseau that have not yet been reported.

If you have any information related to these incidents or this offender, you are asked to contact Detective Constable Marc Belanger at 705-675-9171 extension 2338.

GSPS is committed to conducting thorough Survivor-focused investigations and to holding offenders accountable.

We recognize the traumatic impact that incidents of this nature – especially incidents involving the victimization of children – has on our community. We are fully committed to supporting Survivors and we want to provide you with the assistance and resources available to you. Please refer to our Information Guide for Survivors of Sexual Assault.

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