A 46-year-old Assiniboia man made his first court appearance Wednesday relating to charges laid on Tuesday following a sexual assault investigation. The investigation was regarding alleged sexual assaults of three male youths under 12 years old during the mid-2010s.
On Monday, a search warrant was executed at a residence in Assiniboia, leading to an adult male being arrested.
There was a home-based daycare operating at the residence.
Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill released the following statement Wednesday morning:
"I am deeply concerned with the serious allegations involving the exploitation of children, in relation to an individual connected to a place where parents send their children to be safe and protected.
When the Ministry of Education was alerted that a police charge occurred, immediate action was taken to place the family child care home’s license on hold. The ministry will be assisting families in finding alternative care where possible.
Police-based Victims Services is in contact with the RCMP regarding this situation and will be reaching out to families to offer support, information, and referrals to services during this difficult time.
I would like to thank the RCMP for their efforts in investigating this matter. As this is currently being investigated by the RCMP we are not able to comment further at this time."
During his first court appearance, the accused was remanded in police custody and will next appear in court on Dec. 14 via video. There is a publication ban on the man’s name.
The investigation being conducted by Saskatchewan RCMP’s General Investigation Section (GIS) and the Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) is still ongoing.
The man is facing charges as follows:
- three counts, sexual assault, Section 271, Criminal Code;
- three counts, sexual interference, Section 151, Criminal Code;
- two counts, invitation to sexual touching, Section 152, Criminal Code;
- three counts, make sexually explicit material available to a person under the age of 16, Section 171.1(1)(b), Criminal Code;
- one count, voyeurism, Section 162(4), Criminal Code; and
- one count, possession of child pornography 163.1(4), Criminal Code.
If you have information about this or any other crime, contact your local RCMP detachment by dialing 310-RCMP.
Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
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