THUNDER BAY — A local woman who was in possession of several images consistent with child pornography and communicated with underage individuals while working as an escort has been sentenced to six months in custody.
Dawn Wanda Proulx, 65, appeared before Justice Frank Valente in a Thunder Bay courtroom on Wednesday where she pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.
According to an agreed statement of facts, in March 2021 the Thunder Bay Police Service cybercrime unit received a tip from Missing and Exploited Children Canada regarding a local internet user uploading three images to the internet that were consistent with child pornography.
It was determined the IP addressed used to upload the images belong to Proulx at a residence on Simpson Street. A search warrant was executed by police on the residence in April 2021 and a cell phone was seized.
Examination of the cell phone revealed 10 images consistent with child pornography dating back to March 2020, as well as text messages between Proulx and other individuals.
Investigators learned that Proulx at the time was working as an escort and text communication was found on the cell phone between her and past clients who were determined to be underage children.
The court heard that Proulx has experienced extensive trauma throughout her life, including domestic and sexual abuse, as well as struggling with substance abuse issues.
When given the opportunity to speak, Proulx said she was very sorry for her actions.
“I feel very, very guilty,” she said. “I wish it didn’t happen, but it happened, so I have to just move on now.”
A joint submission presented on behalf of the defense and the Crown called for a sentence of six months in custody to be followed by two years probation.
Valente agreed with the joint submission but noted the seriousness of the offence.
“It is a serious offence involving children who are victimized not only once but repeatedly as often as these images are disseminated on the internet,” he said. “The children depicted are victimized over and over again. This is not a victimless crime.”
Proulx will also be required to register with the Sexual Offender Information Registry for 10 years and will have restrictions on her use of the internet. She will also be prohibited from being in a position of trust over anyone under the age of 16 or be present around anyone under the age of 16 or places where individuals are anticipated to be present.
As part of her probation, Proulx will be required to attend any programming or counselling as set out by the court.
In October 2021, Proulx was charged with three counts of procuring an individual for prostitution, one count of living off the avails of prostitution of an individual under 18, and one count of sexual exploitation.
The charges relate to incidents that allegedly occurred in Thunder Bay between November 1998 and March 2000.
Pierre Marier, 53, and 44-year-old Helen Charette were also charged as part of the investigation by the Thunder Bay Police Service.
A six-day trial for the accused on the charges is scheduled to begin on Nov. 8.
