Steven Vincent Teefy standing outside court on Thursday, April 6 in Nanaimo prior to learning his punishment later that afternoon. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

sex offender

‘I was drunk, high and stupid:’ man sentenced for Qualicum Beach child porn bust

Apr 10, 2023 | 5:27 AM

Editor’s note: the following story includes information which may not be suitable for all readers. Discretion is advised.

NANAIMO — A dark existence of hard drugs, underground online chat rooms and a disturbing collection of child pornography came to light in a Nanaimo courtroom.

Steven Vincent Teefy, 47, was handed a 90-day intermittent jail sentence and yet-to-be determined probationary terms following a Thursday, April 6 sentencing hearing.

The long time restaurant cook entered a late guilty plea to a singular charge of possessing child pornography in relation to a Sept. 2019 bust at his then Qualicum Beach apartment.

Teefy amassed a “modest, but highly aggravating collection” of pictures and videos on his cell phone after linking with like-minded people online, an agreed statement of facts heard.

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Referred to by the judge as “very disturbing material”, court was told the files included young girls and boys being sexually abused by adults.

Some victims were as young as four-years-old.

It’s unknown where the material originated from.

Six videos flagged on the offender’s phone were considered the most aggravating.

Teefy gave up his phone, its password and willfully made a statement to police after they showed up to his door.

“It’s all mine, I deleted most of it and I like teen porn,” Teefy told police during the raid.

During a break in his sentencing hearing, Teefy told NanaimoNewsNOW the only comment he was willing make regarding his conduct was: “I was drunk, high and stupid.”

The Crown’s Sabrina Avery pushed for a sentence of four to six months behind bars.

“The thrust your honour of the Crown’s argument is there’s no exceptional circumstances in this case that would justify the imposition of a conditional jail sentence,” Avery said.

Teefy informed a psychiatrist he was heavily using cocaine and was also influenced by ecstasy during the time of his offending.

Teefy was diagnosed with cocaine and cannabis use disorders and may have had an alcohol use disorder.

He was found to be a low risk to re-offend, according to the psych report, which stated his cocaine use likely contributed to his offending, in which Teefy reported he was “high and horny.”

Insufficient evidence was presented to identify Teefy as having pedophilia interests, according to the court-ordered assessment completed last September.

Court was told Teefy had a healthy, supportive upbringing and maintains a positive relationship with his parents.

He doesn’t have any children.

The offender’s lawyer, Babak Zargarian, told court his client was in an unhealthy environment and has since moved in with his girlfriend.

“It was an exceptionally drug-fueled house at the time and now Mr. Teefy is not doing drugs, he’s doing counselling, he has a stable residence and supportive partner — he’s just simply not in the same circumstance.”

A one year non-custodial sentence, followed by one year probation was proposed by Zargarian.

Judge Ronald Lamperson said the message needs to be made clear: possessing child pornography is far from a victimless crime.

Judge Lamperson swayed from a longer jail sentence, in part, due to recent rehabilitative steps made by the offender and a character reference letter highlighting his value as an employee.

“He’s really an important part of the team, he’s relied upon and that’s just one factor,” judge Lamperson said.

The judge indicated he would impose a 30-month probationary term for Teefy, who’s currently not in custody.

Teefy’s jail sentence is designed to allow him to remain employed while he’s locked up on weekends.

Teefy’s guilty plea in March of last year was made three days prior to a BC Supreme Court trial.

Probation and court orders specific to sex offenders will be defined during a future court appearance, which will also set out Teefy’s jail term schedule.

The offender has a dated criminal record unrelated to sex offences.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes