BATTLEFORD – The trial date has changed a few times for a man accused of sexually assaulting children and possessing child pornography. Joseph Sproull's seven-day non-jury trial is now scheduled for October.
Joseph Sproull, now 43, of Marshall, was arrested in September 2021 and charged with possession of child pornography, distribution of child pornography, three counts each of sexual assault, sexual interference and making child pornography. Marshall is about 19 kilometres east of Lloydminster.
RCMP say that Sproull was residing at a home-based day care at the time of the alleged offences. They allege that Sproull uploaded child pornography videos online and the images depicted three young children being assaulted.
According to court documents, the alleged incidents occurred between Aug. 26, 2020, and March 12, 2021, at or near Marshall. The RCMP didn’t release the ages of the victims to protect their identity.
Saskatchewan Integrated Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) and Maidstone RCMP had raided the daycare on 1st Avenue East in Marshall on July 14, 2021. They found images of unidentified children being sexually assaulted by a man.
Police say their investigation determined that the home-based day care was operating where Sproull lived. Investigators alerted the Government of Saskatchewan Ministry of Education the same day. The ministry suspended the day care’s license two days later and advised all parents.
Sproull was released on a no cash bail with strict conditions. There is a ban on publication of the location where he is residing.
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