Man charged with sex crimes dating back three decades

PICTURE BUTTE, ALTA. RCMP have charged a southern Alberta man with sex crimes following an investigation into allegations of assaults from 30 years ago.

Police say a woman came forward in 2016 saying she had been sexually abused by a man she knew when she was a child.

RCMP say as the investigation progressed, three other woman came forward with similar allegations from the 1980s and 1990s.

Marvin “Ross” Harker of Raymond, Alta., faces charges of sexual interference and has been released from custody on the condition he stay away from people under 18.

Harker, who is 49, is to appear in Lethbridge provincial court on Feb. 7.

Investigators say there could be other victims.

“While our investigation is now concluded, it is possible that other victims are out there,” Sgt. Tom Howell said Wednesday in a release.

“Anyone who has information about this investigation or other incidents should contact their local law enforcement agency.”

Carlos Jansen, a former Mormon church leader, said Harker served as a volunteer bishop of a congregation in the Raymond area for a few months in 2016.

Jansen said Harker was asked to step down from the position when the church became aware of the allegations.