Calgary man charged with assault after volunteering to help immigrants

A Calgary man who helped families navigate the Canadian immigration process as a volunteer sponsor has been charged with several counts of sexual assault.

Calgary police say the attacks are believed to have occurred between December 2023 and June 2024 and were first reported to them through the counter of a CPS district office on October 12, 2024.

After investigating the complaint, police say it was determined that the man was assigned to a newcomer family through a local organization and that on three separate occasions he abused his position and sexually assaulted his victim.

Police have charged 83-year-old Robert Edward Choquette of Calgary with three counts of sexual assault.

“We understand the enormous courage it takes for a victim of sexual assault to come forward,” said CPS Insp. Keith Hurley.

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“We also recognize the additional anxiety about the potential impact on their immigration status. We would like to reassure everyone that reporting a crime will not affect your immigration status.”

Calgary police say the alleged assaults were first reported to them at the desk of a community police station on Saturday, October 12, 2024.

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CPS says there is no statute of limitations for sex crimes in Canada and encourages potential victims to report it, even if many years have passed since the incident.

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Anyone who believes they have been a victim of such a crime is encouraged to call CPS at 403-266-1234, or 9-1-1 if they believe they are in immediate danger.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), online at calgarycrimestoppers.org or by downloading the Crime Stoppers app P3 TIPS from the app store.

&copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.



Ken MacGillivray

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