FREDERICTON -- A former city councillor in Saint John, N.B., convicted of sexually abusing and making pornographic images of boys for more than a decade is appealing his 18-year prison term, saying the sentence is excessive.
"The sentence was unreasonable and in excess of the appropriate range in all circumstances," Donnie Snook says in a notice of appeal filed with the provincial Court of Appeal in Fredericton.
Snook, 41, was sentenced last month after pleading guilty to 46 charges including sexual assault and possessing, distributing and making child pornography over a 12-year period.
He was given credit for time served, reducing his prison sentence to 16 years and 10 months, and he would be eligible to seek parole after serving one-third of that.
The RCMP arrested him after an investigation that began in 2011 involving the Saint John and Toronto police. After his arrest, police seized his computers and discovered more than 15,000 photos and videos of child pornography.
Crown prosecutor Karen Lee Lamrock said Snook was arrested after he offered to put "one of his boys" on video while chatting online with an undercover officer. There was a boy in Snook's home at the time of his arrest, Lamrock said.
At a sentencing hearing in August, Snook said he was ashamed of his actions.
"I was like an addict looking for my next online high," Snook told provincial court.
The Crown had argued for a 21-year prison sentence, saying Snook created a "permissive atmosphere" in his home by luring boys with cash, allowing them to consume alcohol and marijuana, and having them carry out sex acts.
Defence lawyer Dennis Boyle had argued for a 12-year prison term but said Judge Alfred Brien's sentencing decision was appropriate.
Snook also faces four sex related charges involving an alleged victim in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The two counts of sexual assault and two counts of sexual interference have been transferred to the provincial court in Saint John and will be heard on Nov. 28.
