Former New Brunswick RCMP officer Jeremy Bastarache faces seven new charges, including possession and making child pornography, along with multiple sex offenses involving minors. Authorities laid the additional charges on Friday, with Bastarache scheduled to appear in Moncton provincial court on Feb. 9.

Initial Charges and Investigation

The Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) first reported the RCMP contacted them on June 3, 2024, regarding an active member potentially engaged in criminal activity. The officer, based in New Brunswick, had recently served out of the province.

SiRT collaborated with the Child Exploitation Unit (ICE), Digital Forensic Services (DFS), and RCMP. Cpl. Jeremy Bastarache was initially charged on June 10, 2024, with making an arrangement to facilitate sexual offenses with a person he believed to be under 16 years old. At that time, the RCMP confirmed his suspension with pay.

New Charges Detailed

SiRT confirmed the investigation has been ongoing. The 38-year-old Shediac River man received seven additional charges on Friday:

• Possession of child pornography
• Making child pornography
• Making an agreement or arrangement for the purpose of facilitating a sexual offence against a child (under 18 years old)
• Making an agreement or arrangement for the purpose of facilitating a sexual offence against a child (under 16 years old)
• Procuring a person under 18 years old
• Communicating for obtaining sexual services for consideration from a person under 18 years old
• Trafficking of a person under the age of 18

Ongoing Collaboration and Court Appearance

The New Brunswick RCMP issued a news release regarding the new charges.

“These new charges stem from an ongoing investigation and follow the analysis of evidence, as well as collaboration with other law enforcement agencies in Canada, as well as Australia, and the United States.”

Police refer to Bastarache as a “former RCMP officer.” He is due to appear in Moncton provincial court at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 9. SiRT is responsible for investigating all serious incidents involving police in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Why This Matters

The charges against a former RCMP officer carry significant implications for public trust in law enforcement. Allegations of child pornography and sex offenses involving minors are among the most serious crimes, and the involvement of a former authority figure can deeply erode community confidence.

This case highlights the critical role of independent oversight bodies like the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) in ensuring accountability for police conduct, regardless of an officer’s current status. The international collaboration across Canada, Australia, and the United States also underscores the global nature of child exploitation and the concerted efforts required to combat it.