Winnipeg magician facing child porn charges also an educational assistant

A Winnipeg educational assistant who worked as a children's entertainer has been charged with making child pornography, shocking officials at local schools and child-care centres whohave booked him to perform in the past.

Daniel Kamenicky,39,ischarged with making child pornography, possessing child pornography, distributing child pornography and voyeurism. A magician, Kamenicky performs under the name Dan the Magic Man.

He remains in police custody.

Kamenicky was employed as an educational assistant atWindsor School, a kindergarten to Grade 8 school in Elm Park. PrincipalKenneth Bartel confirmed he has been suspended from theLouis Riel School Division.

DominiquePhilibert saidKamenicky put on a magic showat her children's daycare this summer.

"I am in shock," she said.

"My kids were in contact only once ... with teachers around them so I'm not very concerned about my kids, but still, I don't like the feeling. I really don't like the feeling."

Kamenickyalso worked multiple times with the University of Manitoba's Mini U program, includingfor two weeks thissummer fromJuly 11-15 and from July 25-29.

In a letter sent to parents, the university said Kamenicky worked with the Magic Mania camp. The university said a criminal background check ofKamenickyit commissioned before hiring him came back clean.

Public information officer Jason Michalyshen said the making child pornography charge against Kamenicky is related to voyeurism. Police do not believe Kamenicky made physical contact with children while making the pornography, he said.

Videos were recorded"out in the community," Michalyshensaid.

"This individual has videorecorded children in ways that we believe are sexual in nature."

Children's entertainer Dan the Magic Man remains in custody on multiple charges

8 years ago

Duration 1:57

Winnipeg magician facing child porn charges also an educational assistant

Investigators tracked downKamenicky using IP addresses provided by the American groupNational Center for Missing andExploited Children.

Police allege the IP addresses connected to Kamenickywere used betweenJune 13 and Aug.11, 2016, to upload pornographic images and videos.

Michalyshensaid police are not releasing information about the number of potential victims, but they are girls agesix to 10.

School division 'devastated' by arrest

Duane Brothers, superintendent of Louis Riel School Division, said he has received more than a dozen calls from panicked parents who may have come into contact withKamenicky.

"These are caregivers, these are parents. They're concerned. They're worried," saidBrothers.

Thesuperintendent said heis unsure of how longKamenickyhas workedat Windsor School possibly between five and six years. Hepreviouslyworked atMarion School.

Brothers said he's "devastated" and is working withthe Winnipeg Police Service.

"I'm a dad. I'm a public educator. We have 15,000students. Our number one job is to look after our kids and make sure that they're safe," he said.

'I am actually literally shaking'

KenSawatzky, a local magician who knowsKamenicky, saidthe two had a professional relationship and would refer clients to one another if they were unavailable to take a booking.

Sawatzkysaid he was deeply shocked by the arrest.

"I am actually literally shaking to know what's happening and I keep pinching myself thinking, 'Wake up, this is not happening.' I just really don't know what to say,"he said.

"I am just hoping this is all a misunderstanding. I don't know what is happening and I don't have much details. I hope that nobody was hurt. And if anybody was hurt that they find a way to heal and that they can find a way to recover from what's happened."

SawatzkysaidKamenicky was always friendly, outgoing and "very professional in his job."

Winnipeg magician facing child pornography charges

8 years ago

Duration 2:36

Educational assistant and children's entertainer Daniel Kamenicky faces multiple child pornography charges

Michel Dedieu of Morris Entertainment said he has promoted Kamenicky for about the past five years.

"I'mblindsidedby it, because I've known him on aprofessional level,anda little bit on a personal level," he said.

"Never had any weird vibes from people ...I never heard anything negative on him at all."

Police urgevictimsto come forward

Investigators have not "closed the door" on the possibility some of the victims were related to Kamenicky's work as a children's entertainer.

Police said theycontinueto analyze severalseized electronic devices that belong toKamenicky.

"I can tell you we have not completely gone through all of those electronic devices. There is potentially more images or videos that we have to go through," said public information officerMichalyshen.

"We take these matters incredibly seriously."

Anyone with information is asked to contact theWinnipeg policeinternet child exploitation unitor CrimeStoppers, Michalyshen said.

"No one should feel afraid to come forward. No one should feel embarrassed to come forward," he said.