Chilliwack man arrested on 11 sexual assault charges from B.C. Interior
Police in Chilliwack have arrested a man who was wanted on multiple sexual assault charges in B.C.'s Interior.
Joel Eric Carlson, 28, is charged with 11 counts of sexual assault and one count of assault, all of them stemming from an investigation that began last fall, according to a news release from Kamloops RCMP.
The former Kamloops resident was first arrested in September 2020 by Vernon RCMP for "offences related to sexual assault and forcible confinement," police said.
The Vernon detachment issued an appeal for other victims to come forward, and several contacted Kamloops RCMP.
The charges against Carlson were approved on Thursday and a warrant for his arrest was issued. He was arrested in Chilliwack on Friday and appeared in provincial court on the charges the same day, according to police.
In the news release, Sgt. Nestor Baird of Kamloops RCMP's Serious Crime Unit highlighted the detachment's work on sex crime investigations, including the recent hiring of a dedicated sex crimes investigator.
"This investigation and the number of victims who came forward following the public safety advisory reminds us of how many sexual assaults occur that are never reported to police for numerous reasons," said Baird in the release. "We are again asking anyone who may have information about this individual to please contact your local police."
Const. Rachel Buliziuk, the Kamloops detachment's sex crimes investigator, encouraged survivors of sexual assault to come forward, promising to provide them help and support.
"The success of any investigation ultimately starts with the survivors," Buliziuk said in the release.
"We know it’s not easy to come forward about these types of offences, but we want you to know that we are here for you. Whether you are an alleged victim of this accused person, or of an instance completely unrelated to this, we want to help you through the investigative process and start your path to healing."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Terrifying': Manitoba resident speaks on wildfire and evacuation
As a pair of wildfires burn near Flin Flon and The Pas, a number of Manitobans are being told to evacuate their homes.
Steve Buscemi punched in the face while walking in N.Y.C.
Hollywood actor Steve Buscemi has been treated for injuries after being punched in the face while walking in New York City.
Canucks' Zadorov fined $5,000 for post-game crosscheck on Oilers' McDavid
A Vancouver Canucks defenceman has been given the highest possible fine under the NHL's collective bargaining agreement after a scrum broke out at the end of Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday night.
DEVELOPING Michael Cohen takes the stand as testimony in Trump hush money case enters 4th week
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial is set to take the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Air quality advisories issued in 5 provinces, 1 territory
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
Jerry Seinfeld speech prompts pro-Palestinian demonstration at U.S. university graduation ceremony
A tiny contingent of Duke University graduates opposed pro-Israel comedian Jerry Seinfeld speaking at their commencement in North Carolina Sunday, with about 30 of the 7,000 students leaving their seats and chanting "free Palestine" amid a mix of boos and cheers.
Just how bad are ultraprocessed foods? Here are 5 things to know
Many foods fall under the category of ultraprocessed foods, depending on their exact ingredients. This type of food has been studied a lot lately, and the results aren’t great.
No refund for travellers who cancelled flight already scrapped by airline: regulator
Four years on, the controversy over whether airlines owed refunds to passengers after cancelling hundreds of thousands of flights during the pandemic continues to simmer, aggravated by a sluggish, opaque complaints process.
opinion Harry and Meghan's Nigerian adventure: Traditional attire to warm welcomes
For her latest column on CTVNews.ca, royal commentator Afua Hagan writes about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's recent visit to Nigeria, calling it a 'deeply meaningful campaign' that was about aligning their ongoing efforts to foster mental-health awareness and promoting the Invictus Games.