A Red Pheasant Cree Nation resident has been sentenced to six years in prison for committing what the judge described as “horrific” offenses. Blaisen Nicotine, 27, admitted to engaging in inappropriate acts with two minors and distributing child sexual abuse materials.
During Nicotine’s sentencing at the Battleford Court of King’s Bench, Justice Brenda Hildebrandt condemned the “horrific” nature of the crimes perpetrated against the children. One incident took place at a school within the Red Pheasant Cree Nation, as per the RCMP, who were alerted by the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children about a video being sold on a social media platform.
The court heard that Nicotine, enrolled in adult education courses at the school, was caught filming himself in a bathroom stall and then involving a young student inappropriately. Nicotine shared the footage on social media, reaching multiple recipients. Another victim, a 13-year-old who misrepresented his age as 18, engaged in sexual activities with Nicotine during a brief relationship.
The victims’ identities remain protected by a publication ban, and no victim impact statements were submitted to the court. Crown prosecutor Danie Cillers and defense attorney Daryl Royer jointly proposed a six-year imprisonment sentence, considering Nicotine’s troubled background marked by violence, substance abuse, and past victimization.
Nicotine expressed remorse in court, seeking forgiveness and acknowledging his regrettable actions. Although the judge deemed the sentence as relatively lenient, she emphasized its appropriateness given Nicotine’s guilty pleas, which spared the victims from testifying. The judge encouraged Nicotine to make use of available prison programs to facilitate his rehabilitation. With credit for his pre-sentencing detention, Nicotine has approximately three years and nine months left to serve.