A Revelstoke man made a first appearance in court last Wednesday, Nov. 7, faced with a series of disturbing charges.
The man, whose identity cannot be revealed due to a publication ban set out to protect the identity of the victims, is charged with making, accessing and possessing child pornography; sexual assault, sexual touching of someone under 16, and sexual exploitation.
He appeared in court via video from Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre, where he was awaiting a bail hearing. He did not enter a plea.
The appearance was brief and the man didn’t speak once. His lawyer, Melissa Klages, asked for an adjournment, indicating there may be more charges coming forward.
Crown prosecutor Angela Ross said the man’s computer was still being examined by a forensics team in Vancouver, and that the investigation would not be finished for another week and could involve other children in the community.
Staff-Sgt. Jacquie Olsen of the Revelstoke RCMP declined to speak about the investigation, citing the need to protect the identity of the victims. She did say the investigation was local and not part of a larger, province-wide effort.