Man facing sexual assault charges
MAN HAD WORKED AS RESPITE WORKER AND EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT
An educational assistant who worked at Picture Butte High School is facing several sex-related charges involving a person under the age of 16.
Coaldale RCMP conducted an investigation and charged the 27-year-old man with three counts of sexual assault, three counts of sexual interference and one count of sexual exploitation. RCMP would not confirm specifics of the charges. According to Global News, the man also worked as a respite care worker for people with developmental disabilities.
RCMP told Global News there was no indication of any incidents happening at the school. RCMP did not comment to The Herald regarding this. The accused had been working at PBHS until last week, when the school learned of the charges.
A letter was sent to parents on Friday advising them the employee had been terminated, said Garry Andrews, acting superintendent of Palliser Regional Schools.
Andrews told The Herald he couldn’t comment on the role the employee had with students at the school, but they are committed to preserving the integrity of the police investigation.
“We have provided additional counselling services at the school for students and staff that need it,” which is protocol in any traumatic circumstance, he said.
RCMP did say the investigation is ongoing, and they are working closely with Southwest Alberta Child and Family Services.
“It’s very sensitive, so we’re not really going to release too much more information while our investigation is in the early stages,” said Coaldale RCMP Staff Sgt. Glenn Henry.
Henry confirmed he has not and will not be issuing a media release at this stage as he doesn’t want to compromise the investigation.
The man was scheduled to make his first appearance in Lethbridge provincial court on Wednesday. He was not in court but an agent appeared for him and adjourned the matter to March 22.
A court-ordered publication ban prohibits publication of the accused’s name or anything that could identify the complainant.