Police charges Cape St. George man with online child exploitation offences
Thirty-three-year-old Guy Gerard Rouzes Jr. of Cape St. George was arrested by the RCMP-RNC Integrated Internet Child Exploitation (IICE) Unit on May 8, in relation to charges of online child exploitation offences.
Last Thursday, as part of an ongoing investigation, police went to the Cape St. George home with a warrant to search the property, obtained under the Criminal Code. Rouzes was arrested without incident and a number of electronic items were seized.
Rouzes is charged with the following criminal offences:
- Possession of child pornography
- Transmitting child pornography
- Accessing child pornography
Rouzes was released on conditions designed to protect the general public. He is scheduled to appear in provincial court in Stephenville on Aug. 8.
Man arrested by RCMP following internal fraud investigation
Following an investigation that began in April 2023, charges have been laid against 53-year-old Craig Williams.
In April 2023, Independent Fish Harvesters Ltd. contacted the RCMP about possible internal fraud. Williams, who was the company’s office manager and accountant, was suspected as being involved.
As part of the investigation, RCMP GIS engaged the Forensic Accounting Management Group (FMAG) and a forensic financial audit was completed. The investigation discovered internal fraud in excess of $125,000.
Williams was arrested on March 12, 2025, and is charged with the following criminal offences:
- Fraud over $5,000
- Theft over $5,000
Williams is set to attend court in Harbour Grace on July 2.
Police searching for missing person, William Reginald King
The RNC is searching for missing person, William Reginald King (Reggie), reported missing from St. John’s.
The 61-year-old is described as 5’8” tall, and 170 lbs, with grey hair and blue eyes.
Anyone with information pertaining to the whereabouts of King is asked to contact the RNC at 709-729-8000.
Joanne Thompson remains fisheries minister in Mark Carney’s post-election cabinet
St. John’s East MP Joanne Thompson remains the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s post-election cabinet.
Carney unveiled his cabinet in a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa Tuesday. Other notable appointments included Dominic Leblanc as minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade relations, intergovernmental affairs and “one Canadian economy”; Melanie Joly moving from foreign affairs to industry; Anita Anand moving from industry to foreign affairs; and Francois-Phillipe Champagne remaining the finance minister.
Former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland will be minister of transport and internal trade in Carney’s new cabinet.
Police tickets off-road vehicle operator not wearing a helmet
A 32-year-old man was ticketed by Clarenville RCMP for not wearing a helmet while operating a side-by-side all-terrain vehicle (ATV) on May 10.
Shortly before 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, police stopped the ATV which was traveling on the shoulder of the Trans-Canada Highway near Clarenville. In addition to not wearing a helmet, the driver was unable to provide proof of insurance. He was ticketed for the violations.
With the expected increased use of off-road vehicles heading into the Victoria Day Weekend and continuing over the summer, RCMP NL reminds operators of the province’s Off-Road Vehicles Act. Off-road vehicles include dirt bikes, quads, side-by-sides and snowmobiles.
All occupants of off-road vehicles are required to wear helmets, as well as seat belts where available. Children who are required to use a child seat restraint system, such as a booster seat, under the Highway Traffic Act are required to follow that same legislation as a passenger of an off-road vehicle.
St. John’s International Airport Authority holding annual public meeting
St. John’s International Airport Authority will hold its annual public meeting today beginning at 10:30 a.m.
It is open to any interested participant. The meeting will be held in person at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites, with a live stream available for viewing.
There will be an update from leadership on the 2024 business and financial activities, plus a special presentation by Monette Pasher, President of the Canadian Airports Council.
Man arrested after causing serious damage to home
The RNC responded to a disturbance at a residence in the east end of St. John’s on Monday afternoon.
Responding officers observed that a home had sustained serious damage, mainly to the windows and doors.
A 43-year-old male in the home for property damage and breaching his release order.
He was held to appear in court.
St. John’s reopens Re-Leaf Voucher program
The City of St. John’s has opened the Residential Re-Leaf program, where St. John’s residents can apply for a $200 voucher towards the purchase of a tree to plant on their property. There are 175 vouchers available.
Applications can be submitted directly by filling out an online form. Applications will be accepted until 4:00 p.m., Friday, May 23. Eligible applications will be entered into a random draw. Successful applicants will receive their voucher by mail in late June.
The Residential Re-Leaf program aims to expand St. John’s urban forest by encouraging property owners to plant trees on their property.
More than 700 vouchers have been distributed since 2019.