On August 6, 2008 at 11:02 a.m., the RCMP Operations Communication Centre was contacted with an allegation that a junior RCMP member had attempted to sexually assault a 17-year-old teenage girl on Bloodvein First Nation.
An investigation was conducted by the RCMP into the allegation. On October 21st, the RCMP provided Manitoba Justice with a complete brief of the investigation for opinion. On December 16, 2008, RCMP “D” Division Criminal Operations was notified, based on the investigative results, that charges of Sexual Exploitation and Forcible Confinement were recommended.
On December 17, 2008, 24-year-old Benjamin Neufeldt of the RCMP Bloodvein Detachment was arrested and charged for Sexual Exploitation and Forcible Confinement. He was released on a Recognizance with conditions to have no contact with the victim, not to attend Bloodvein or Berens F.N. or to possess any firearms.
He is scheduled to appear in Court on January 29, 2009 in Winnipeg, Man.
The victim will not be identified by the RCMP for privacy reasons. The police officer facing these allegations is currently suspended with pay and has two years of service with the RCMP.
No further report to follow.
Contact:
Sgt. Line Karpish
RCMP Media Relations
(204)983-8497
