Red Pheasant man accused of sexual assault at local school: RCMP

A 25-year-old man from the Red Pheasant Cree Nation is facing a lengthy list of charges after allegedly assaulting a minor at a local school and distributing child pornography over social media.

According to the RCMP, officers with the Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation Unit were informed about videos “that met the definition of child pornography” which were being sold on a social media platform.

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“The interaction between the accused and the victim took place at the school on Red Pheasant Cree Nation,” the RCMP said in a statement.

“The accused was enrolled at adult education courses through the school.”

An investigation led police to arrest the man on February 20 at a home in the Cree Nation near North Battleford.

He’s now facing charges of sexual assault, sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, indecent acts, making child pornography, distributing child pornography, and possession of child pornography.

Police said he made his first court appearance in North Battleford the day after his arrest, and is scheduled to be back in court on Friday.

The RCMP said the investigation has so far discovered one victim – who has been identified and offered support – but there may be more victims in the case.

“The investigation remains ongoing – including identifying whether there are any additional victims,” the Mounties noted.

“If officers determine there may be other victims, necessary steps will be taken to identify and notify the guardians of those individuals – this may include the release of additional information to the public to help further the investigation.”

The RCMP said every complaint of sexual assault is investigated “thoroughly, with the utmost professionalism and care,” and noted that reports can be made at any time, no matter how long ago the assault occurred.

Anyone with information on the case was asked to contact the RCMP or make an anonymous report through Crime Stoppers.

Five Sask. residents arrested in national child porn investigation

Five Saskatchewan men are facing charges related to child pornography after a nationwide investigation by police last month.

Officers with the Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation Unit – which includes Mounties and municipal police officers from across the province – participated in a nationwide investigation in February dubbed “Project Steel,” which led to 106 arrests across Canada, including five in Saskatchewan.

Two men, ages 36 and 38, were arrested in Regina, a 36-year-old man was arrested in Moose Jaw, a 25-year-old man was arrested in Cando, and a 66-year-old man was arrested in Lloydminster.

All of them were charged with possession of child pornography, and other charges the individuals are facing include sexual assault, unauthorized possession of firearms, making child pornography, and distribution of child pornography.

Anyone who has been affected by sexual violence can contact the Regina Sexual Assault Centre’s 24-hour crisis line at 1-844-952-0434.