Published Jun 08, 2025 • Last updated 5 hours ago • 1 minute readA Dartmouth man has been charged with child exploitation and firearms offences, Halifax Regional Police announced Friday. Photo by Tim KrochakA Dartmouth man has been charged with child exploitation and firearms offences.A Halifax Regional Police news release Friday said information was received from the U.S. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on May 21 that a 10-year-old girl in the United States was corresponding with a Canadian male believed to be an adult.Police said communication between the pair began in January 2025 and continued over various social media platforms, including Slowly and Snapchat.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 contentThe man presented himself as a 15-year-old boy, police said, and the conversations included inappropriate sexual content. He also mailed the girl handwritten letters and gifts.The HRP-RCMP internet child exploitation unit worked closely with the Lakeshore Regional Child Advocacy Center in Wisconsin to further the investigation.On Thursday, investigators executed a search warrant at a residence on Gaston Road in Dartmouth, seizing electronic devices and firearms.The suspect, John Aaron Shute, 42, was arrested without incident and remanded into custody, police said.Shute will appear in Dartmouth provincial court at a later date to face charges of luring a child under 16, making child pornography, possession of child pornography, failure to comply with order, two counts of breach of probation order in relation to children and five firearms-related offences.Police said the investigation is ongoing, and additional charges could be laid.Anyone with information about suspected child exploitation is asked to contact HRP at 902-490-5020 or submit an anonymous tip to Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers.Article content
Dartmouth man charged with sexually exploiting U.S. girl
