Two reserve Canadian Armed Forces members charged with 1997 sex assault
· Toronto Sun
OTTAWA — Two reserve Canadian Armed Forces members are facing charges in connection with an alleged sexual assault nearly three decades ago.
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On Wednesday, a statement from the Office of the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal confirmed that Chief Warrant Officer Stephane Marleau and Master Warrant Officer Gareth Webb each face one count of sexual assault under the Criminal Code of Canada in connection with the alleged 1997 sexual assault.
Both Marleau and Webb are P rimary Reserve CAF members, currently serving with the Governor General’s Foot Guards (GGFG) in Ottawa.
The charges, according to the Provost Marshal, stem from an investigation commenced last year by the Canadian Forces Military Police.
“The Canadian Army cooperated fully with police investigators throughout the course of the investigation,” the statement read.
“Should the charges proceed to prosecution, the members will be tried in the civilian criminal justice system. As with all judicial proceedings, the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”
Provost Marshal spokesperson Lt.-Cmdr. Melanie Aqiqi told the Toronto Sun that the investigation remains under the purview of the Military Police.
GGFG a senior reserve infantry regiment
Part of the 33 Canadian Brigade Group, the Governor General’s Foot Guards are a senior reserve infantry regiment based out of the Cartier Square Drill Hall in downtown Ottawa.
They are a primary light infantry regiment which deploys for both domestic and international operations, with members having participated in numerous NATO and UN missions in Cyprus, Somalia and Haiti, as well as Canada’s mission in Afghanistan.
GGFG members have also participated in more recent operations, including Op REASSURANCE in Latvia, and Op UNIFIER in Ukraine.
Members of the regiment serve in the ceremonial guard units, which act as sentries at Rideau Hall and participate in public duties throughout Ottawa and Parliament Hill, including changing of the guard ceremonies.