P.E.I. man sentenced to nearly 6 years for 'reprehensible' offences including making child pornography

A Prince Edward Island man has been sentenced to nearly six years in federal prison for charges including making and transmitting child pornography.

Loud sobbing could be heard in the Summerside provincial courtroom Friday asJonathan Anthony Jeffery, 35, received thesentence of five years and nine months.

He had pleaded guilty to all the charges against him, includingvoyeurism, intercepting private communications and unsafe storage of a firearm.

East Prince RCMP launched an investigation after receiving a complaint about voyeurism in 2023. Jeffery was arrested and charged back in February, but was not in custody prior to his sentencing.

Courtheard Fridaythat the crimes involved 12 victimsunder the age of 18 and a 13th who was anadult.

There is a ban in place that prevents the publication of any information that could identify them.

Man sentenced in P.E.I. court for making child pornography, other charges

1 day ago

Duration 1:49

Jonathan Anthony Jeffery was sentenced to 69 months in prison in a Summerside courtroom after pleading guilty to counts including making and transmitting child pornography and voyeurism against 13 victims. CBC's Wayne Thibodeau tells us more about the case.

Crown attorney John Diamond said Jeffery used sophisticated camera equipment that he could control remotely in order to film his victims. Diamondsaid the offences took place at three different homes between 2021 and 2023, and police found thousands of videos on his phoneand on a cloud-based storage system he used.

Jeffery had earlier claimed he installed the cameras because he thought his partner at the time was cheating on him,and he wanted proof.

Acts called 'disturbing' and 'reprehensible'

The defence sought a sentence of less than five years, sayingJeffery was struggling with addictions and mental health issues due to the end of his relationship.

The Crown asked for a sentence of between eight and10 years in prison for the offences, whichDiamondcalled "disturbing."

But provincial court Judge Krista MacKaysaid that sentence would be too harsh, given that Jeffery had no criminal record, pleaded guilty, and wrote a letter of remorse.

It isn't too hard to imagine how this would affect the mental health of a person for a long time. Judge Krista MacKay

MacKay did call Jeffery's actions "reprehensible," adding:"It isn't too hard to imagine how this would affect the mental health of a person for a long time... and each time they enter a bathroom in the future."

The Criminal Code of Canada sets the maximum sentence for making or transmitting child pornography at 14 years in prison. The minimum is one year.

As well as doing prison time, Jeffery was ordered to supply a sample for the National DNA Data Bank. Additionally, hecan't be anywhere near his victims after he gets out, andhe can't own or handle weapons for 10 years.