Charlottetown Male Charged with Multiple Child Sexual Offences
File: 2025133913
Charlottetown Police Services Major Crime Unit have laid seven (7) charges against Zachary
Stephen MacNeill, a 22-year-old Charlottetown male.
On January 30th, 2025, Charlottetown Police Services were informed that a female minor was
being sexually exploited by an older male in Charlottetown. The report indicated that the minor
was involved with the older male.
Throughout the investigation, Police successfully identified the suspect using investigative
technology techniques. On April 8th, 2025, Charlottetown Police Services Major Crime Unit, with
assistance from Charlottetown Police General Patrol Unit arrested the male.
Zachary Stephen MacNeill has been charged with the following offences:
– Luring a child 172.1(1)(b)
– Sexual Interference 151
– Sexual Assault 271
– Invitation to Sexual Touching 152
– Making Sexually Explicit Material Available to a Child 171.1(1)(b)
– Making an Agreement or an Arrangement 172.2(1)(b)
Sexual Interference 151
Sexual Assault 271
Invitation to Sexual Touching 152
– Transmit Child Pornography – Written Material 163.1(3)
The accused has been released on strict conditions and will appear in a Charlottetown
Provincial Court on May 8th, 2025.
Charlottetown Police Services priority is protecting children from online predators who
misuse digital spaces to carry out harmful acts. Each investigation we pursue is an important
move toward holding offenders accountable. We encourage all residents to stay watchful, as
understanding and awareness are essential for safeguarding children in the digital world. By
staying informed, we can help create a secure online environment for our youth.
Charlottetown Police Major Crime Unit charged 39 year old Cassie Acorn of Charlottetown with murder contrary to section 229(a)(ii) and section 235(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada following an investigation into the death of her 3 month old infant daughter.
The infant’s death occurred on March 20, 2025 at the IWK in Halifax while the infant was being treated for injuries sustained during an incident in Charlottetown on March 16, 2025.
Acorn has been remanded into custody and will appear in PEI Supreme Court on April 10th, 2025.
On March 15, 2025, the Charlottetown Police Street Crime Unit executed a search warrant at a residence on King Street, leading to the arrest of 36-year-old Donald James Lutes. He was charged with several offenses, including possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes and possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking. Lutes has been in custody since his arrest.
Street Crime Unit continued their investigation and through a coordinated effort with Canada Post Postal Inspectors, officers were able to seize 13 grams of Fentanyl, which had been shipped from out of Province.
As a result of the investigation, an additional charge of possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking has been laid against Lutes. He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in Provincial Court at a later date to answer to this new charge.
File: 2025388560
At 6:15pm Tuesday afternoon (Mar 25), Charlottetown Police Services responded to an armed robbery that occurred at the Irving Parkdale Mainway on St Peters Road.
Multiple units responded and learned that a lone masked male entered the gas stations/convenience store, threatened the employee with a needle and made off with an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect fled the scene in an un-plated black Honda Civic and proceeded east on St Pius X Ave, then proceeded south on Kensington Road.
The Street Crime Unit was called in to assist with this investigation. E-Watch video surveillance and intuitive Police work were instrumental with this investigation being solved within 24 hours. On March 26, Officers located the suspect vehicle mid morning and by late afternoon arrested the suspect without incident. With assistance from the Charlottetown Police Services Major Crime Unit, a search warrant was obtained for the suspects residence and was executed late that afternoon.
32 year old Brandon COADY has been charged under section 343 armed robbery and section 351 wearing a mask while committing an indictable offence. The accused has been remanded in custody and will appear in Provincial Court at a later date.
File: 2025353294
On Marche 18, 2025, Charlottetown Police Services responded to a panic alarm from staff at a local business on University Avenue, Staff reported that a female had been sprayed with a chemical irritant believed to be bear spray inside the business.
Multiple units responded and upon arrival Officers located a female that had been spray with a chemical irritant, later confirmed to be bear spray. The victim was treated by Island EMS for her injuries on scene. Officers were able to identify two males suspects that had fled the scene. The victim and both suspects were known to each other.
A short time later, Officers located one suspect on Burns Avenue. The male was arrested without incident.
On March 24th, members of the Charlottetown Police Services Street Crime Unit located the second male suspect on King Street and arrested the male as he attempted to flee on foot.
The first suspect, 29 year old Blake Pursey has been charged with Robbery with a weapon, mischief under $5000 and breach of probation. The accused has been remanded in custody.
The second suspect, 32 year old Michael Hollinger has been charged with Robbery with a weapon, possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes, fail to comply with a release order and breach of probation. Hollinger has also been charged with numerous offences that occurred after this robbery; theft under $5000 (x2), trespass at night (x2), breach of probation (x2), possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes and CDSA 4(1) possession of fentanyl. The accused has been remanded in custody.
At approximately 3:05 pm yesterday afternoon (March 12), Charlottetown Police Services Street Crime Unit, with assistance from the Charlottetown Police Tactical Response Unit and Patrol Officers executed a CDSA search warrant at a residence on King Street.
The search of the residence yielded 29.7 grams of Fentanyl, 5.6 grams of cocaine, a small quantity of crystal methamphetamine, three replica firearms, one crossbow, two cells phones, and multiple tools that are believed to be stolen.
As a result of this investigation, 36 year old Donald LUTES has been charged with CDSA 5(2) Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking, CDSA 4(1) Possession of cocaine, CDSA 4(1) Possession of crystal methamphetamine and Breach of Probation. The investigation into the possible stolen tools is ongoing and may result in further charges.
The accused appeared in court for a bail hearing today and was remanded in custody, he will re-appear in Provincial Court at a later date.
Police encourage anyone with information about illegal drug activity to contact Charlottetown Police at 902-629-4172, complete the tip section below or contact PEI Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
File: 2025317636
At approximately 11:35am yesterday morning (Mar 11), Charlottetown Police Services responded to a two vehicle collision on Allen Street. Upon arrival Police observed a pick up truck that had rear ended a small sedan. Police checked on the occupants of both vehicles and no injuries were reported. While speaking with the driver of the pick up truck, with young child in the rear seat, Officers determined that the driver displayed signs of impairment by alcohol and was subsequently placed under arrest.
A 60 year old Charlottetown female has been charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle after providing breath samples that were over three times the legal limit. She will appear in Provincial Court at a later date.
Charlottetown Police Services is reminding the public to plan ahead and never get behind the wheel when their ability to drive is impaired by drugs or alcohol.
The Police Service wishes to thank concerned citizens for reporting possible impaired drivers. The public is encouraged to report instances of suspected impaired driving by calling 911.
At approximately 5:10pm yesterday afternoon, March 10, 2025, the Charlottetown Police Services Street Crime Unit conducted a targeted traffic stop in Charlottetown and arrested one male and two females. Shortly after that traffic stop, the Charlottetown Police Tactical Response Team executed a Controlled Drug and Substance Act Search Warrant at a residence on Matwood Drive in Stratford.
Officers seized 1 kg of fentanyl, 2.8 kg of crystal methamphetamine, 763 grams of cocaine multiple cell phones and approximately $5800 dollars cash. Street value of the drugs seized is approximately $665,000 thousand dollars.
21 year old male, Jabari LONDON, from Ontario has been charged with:
- CDSA 5(2) – Possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking (Fentanyl)
- CDSA 5(2) – Possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking (Crystal methamphetamine)
- CDSA 5(2) – Possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking (Cocaine)
- CCC 733.1 – Breach of Probation
23 year old female, Angel BARNETT, from Ontario has been charged with:
- CDSA 5(2) – Possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking (Fentanyl)
- CDSA 5(2) – Possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking (Crystal methamphetamine)
- CDSA 5(2) – Possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking (Cocaine)
- CCC 145(5)(a) – Fail to comply with a release order
23 year old female, Kimberly ELBOURNE, from Ontario has been charged with:
- CDSA 5(2) – Possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking (Fentanyl)
- CDSA 5(2) – Possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking (Crystal methamphetamine)
- CDSA 5(2) – Possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking (Cocaine)
All accused individuals have been remanded in custody and will appear in Province Court at a later date.
Police encourage anyone with information about illegal drug activity to contact Charlottetown Police at 902-629-4172, complete the tip section below or contact PEI Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
File: 2025289966
At 2:10 yesterday afternoon (Mar 5), Charlottetown Police Services, Charlottetown Fire Services and Island EMS responded to a 911 call reporting a structure fire on Sydney Street.
All residents were evacuated. One male had to escape from a second story window, he suffered non life threatening injuries and was transported to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital by IEMS. Twelve people have been displaced and the Canadian Red Cross is assisting.
The investigation is ongoing by Police and Fire Services.
File: 2025255388
At approximately 1:40pm yesterday afternoon (Feb 26), Officers responded to a report of two males in an altercation inside a local business on Richmond Street.
Upon arrival, Police located a male with minor facial injuries. The male reported that he was assaulted by another male and his backpack was stolen. The injured male was treated by IEMS on scene and did not require further care.
E-Watch video captured the suspect and Officers were able to identify him at that time. At approximately 2:30pm, Officers located the suspect on Pownal Street and arrested him without incident.
A 40 year Charlottetown male has been charged with robbery and breach of probation. The accused has been remanded in custody and will appear in Provincial Court at a later date.
Both men were known to each other, there was no risk to the public.
