Editor’s note: Information provided by the New Brunswick RCMP stated that Stephen Blackwood pleaded guilty in September to sexual assault and sexual interference. In fact, Blackwood pleaded guilty to sexual interference, and the sexual assault charge was withdrawn. We regret the error.
More charges have been laid against a Moncton man who was arrested last year for allegedly filming children at several hotel pools in Fredericton.
Stephen Blackwood, 37, appeared in a Moncton court room on Friday to face charges of voyeurism, sexual assault and sexual interference.
It comes less than one month after he pleaded guilty to sexual interference dating back to November 2022.
The New Brunswick RCMP said police in Fredericton began investigating around that time reports of a man allegedly videotaping children in the pool areas of various hotels.
The man, who has since been identified as Blackwood, was arrested and later released on conditions.
He was then arrested in December 2022 by Codiac RCMP for breaching the conditions of his release order.
Blackwood went before a Moncton provincial court judge on Feb. 2 to be charged with sexual assault and sexual interference connected to an incident at a school in November 2022, roughly the same time he allegedly began filming children at the hotel pools in Fredericton.
“Throughout the investigation, it was learned that the man had committed similar offences in the Moncton region and surrounding areas dating back to 2018,” RCMP Cpl. Hans Ouellette said in a statement on Friday.
In previous statements, Ouellette said Blackwood frequented the Shediac Wharf over the summer of 2022, allegedly asking children if they would perform a dance for his YouTube channel, where he is known as “Blamzooka.”
There were also reports of similar incidents at Magic Mountain, Parlee Beach, hotel pools and other public pools like the YMCA and the Dieppe Aquatic Center.
Police believe there may also have been other locations.
According to the RCMP, Blackwood also acted as a supply teacher for the Anglophone East School District between Oct. 26 and Nov. 4, 2022.
Blackwood pleaded guilty in September to sexual assault and sexual interference regarding an incident in November 2022.
It’s unknown if the alleged incident stems from Blackwood’s time as a substitute teacher or from the hotel pools.
Following Blackwood’s court appearance on Friday, police said he remains in custody and is scheduled to return to court at a later date.
Mounties said victims or those with any information should contact their local police immediately.
“This is still an active investigation, and we are working diligently to understand if there were other victims,” said Ouellette in 2022, adding that complaints can be made at any time.
“We are asking parents to speak to their children if they attended these locations, or any of the schools that he taught at, and had interactions with him. If you are a victim of sexual misconduct, please contact us. You will be listened to, and you will be believed.“
If there is information that police should know, and tipsters want to stay anonymous, they can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).