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A former Saskatchewan RCMP officer who was granted a conditional discharge for accessing a sensitive image of an adult female inmate several years ago, is now serving an 18-month provincial jail sentence for voyeurism and possession of child sex abuse material.
Wade Chitrena, 60, appeared Friday morning at Prince Albert Provincial Court. Guilty pleas were entered by way of his lawyer Evan Strelioff.
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The sentence, which also includes 36 months of probation, represented a joint submission from the lawyers involved.
According to the agreed statement of facts read by Crown Prosecutor Alex Boucher, the offences occurred in early August 2023. On Chitrena’s phone, police sad they found seven intimate images of an adolescent girl.
The charges were laid in March 2024. A publication ban prohibits any information that could identify the victim, which in this case includes the location of the offences.
Chitrena’s prior conviction dates back to June 2021 when he pleaded guilty to breach of trust by a public officer.
That offence occurred in 2018, and involved a woman arrested and placed in the detachment’s cellblock. While in custody, the woman removed her clothes with the exception of her underwear. Roughly two months later, members of the Dillon detachment discovered a number of papers on the printer, which included a printed image taken from the surveillance camera footage of the topless woman.
Further investigation revealed Chitrena, who was an acting corporal at the time, was the only member who could have accessed the photo. He later admitted to his actions and blamed a porn addiction.
Chitrena ceased to be an RCMP officer in November 2020.
He received a conditional discharge for the crime, so he technically came to court on Friday with no prior criminal record.
When provided the opportunity to speak, he acknowledged there was nothing he could do or say to make up for the harm he caused.
“All I can do is pray that the memory of me and what I did fades away from those that I hurt,” he said. “I’m very sorry, and I accept whatever punishment you’re going to give out.”
Judge Thomas Healey referred to Chetrina’s actions as “appalling, disgusting and absolutely shameful.”
“This will follow you for the rest of your life,” he said.
Healey also cautioned Chetrina that should he re-offend, he would most definitely be facing a longer prison sentence in a federal penitentiary.
With remand credit, Chetrina has about 10 months left to serve. Conditions of his probation include no contact with the victim or their family.
He’s also under a 10-year order that prohibits him from having any electronic devices that can be used to access the internet. He is also not allowed near any schools, playgrounds, or any businesses where children under the age of 16 might be present.
Despite Friday’s outcome, Chitrena has unresolved breach related charges for which he has entered guilty pleas. Following the offence in 2023, Chitrena fled the country and returned when he ran out of money. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 17.
Boucher told paNOW she is seeking an additional jail sentence.
— with files from CKOM News
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