Zachary Stephen MacNeill, 23, who sexually abused an underage girl, pleaded guilty on Aug. 21 to offences in provincial court. Photo by The Guardian /FileArticle contentA Charlottetown man who sexually abused an underage girl on multiple occasions has pleaded guilty to offences in provincial court.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentZachary Stephen MacNeill, 23, appeared in provincial court in Charlottetown and pleaded guilty to three charges – sexual interference for touching a girl under the age of 16 for a sexual purpose, making sexually explicit material available to a person under the age of 16 for the purpose of facilitating a sexual offence, and by means of telecommunication making an arrangement with a person under the age of 16 to commit a sexual offence.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentA publication ban is in place, preventing the release of information that could identify the victim.Article contentStatement of factsArticle contentReading an agreed statement of facts, Crown attorney John Diamond told the court that MacNeill began communicating with the underage girl through Snapchat and iMessage in October 2024, and continued to do so to the end of January 2025. Their relationship developed into a sexual relationship.Article contentMacNeill engaged in sexual activity with the girl with full knowledge of her age and for his own sexual gratification. MacNeill also knew the age of consent in Canada. The sexual activity with the girl included unprotected sex, said Diamond.Article contentMacNeill knew that his behaviour was criminal and the potential consequences if discovered. He did things to avoid detection, such as developing an alias with the girl and having a new contact name on her phone, added Diamond.Article contentArticle contentConcerns reported to policeArticle contentOn Jan. 30, 2025, the girl’s mother reported to Charlottetown police her concern that her daughter was in an inappropriate relationship with MacNeill, an older man. Prior to that, on Jan. 10, 2025, the mother told her daughter that the relationship was not to continue.Article contentMacNeill and the girl had misled their families about the other person’s age. The families had a discussion (also on Jan. 10, 2025) and there initially was a misunderstanding about the girl’s age. It was also believed that the relationship had ended but it had not, said Diamond.Article contentThen on Jan. 29, 2025, the girl’s mother reviewed her daughter’s iPad and cellphone and learned that the relationship was continuing and that MacNeill had gone to the girl’s school during lunch hour.Article contentPolice investigationArticle contentCharlottetown police began investigating the matter on Feb. 3, 2025. Because of the girl’s age, she was legally incapable of giving consent to the sexual activities with MacNeill. In terms of the charges MacNeill pleaded guilty to, Diamond said that police established that he touched the underage girl for a sexual purpose and that he communicated with the girl via Snapchat and arranged to meet her at a Charlottetown hotel on Jan. 25, 2025, for sexual activity.
P.E.I. man pleads guilty to sexual offences involving underage girl
