(Sandy Lake, ON) – Police arrested a male suspect Thursday amid an investigation into multiple incidents of assault and sexual assault that occurred between March and October in Sandy Lake First Nation.
Members of the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service working out of the Sandy Lake First Nation detachment became aware on Wednesday, Nov. 6 about a series of sexual assault incidents that had occurred between March and late October of 2024.
The incidents involved one male suspect and one female victim.
Police learned the victim and accused were in a relationship at the time of the incidents.
Upon further investigation, police learned the victim had been allegedly sexually assaulted on five occasions, and physically assaulted twice.
Members of the NAPS Northwest Crime Unit are now involved in the ongoing investigation.
In the afternoon hours of Thursday, Nov. 7, police located and arrested the accused without incident.
An 18-year-old male of Sandy Lake First Nation is charged with:
· Sexual Assault x 5
· Assault x 2
Due to a number of the incidents occurring while the accused was a youth, the identity is being withheld in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The name of the accused is also being withheld to protect the identity of the victim.
The accused appeared in bail court on Friday, Nov. 8 and was released with a future court appearance date.