Sheriff's officers facing new sex assault charges

Two sheriff's officers are facing new sexual assault charges following a months-long investigation by the Winnipeg police.

Police said three victims came forward in November 2012 about being drugged and sexually assaulted.

On three separate occasions women were lured to the home of a man and woman, according to police. On two of the occasions, the women were given a substance meant to overcome resistance to sexual assault, resulting in one of the women falling unconscious.

Police said all three victims were sexually assaulted.

Now, a man and a woman are facing multiple charges.

Former sheriff’s officers Richard Robert Gordon, 45, and Jackie Erin Burgoyne, 34, are facing multiple counts of sexual assault and administering a stupefying substance to overcome resistance to a sexual assault.

Const. Eric Hofley said as the case gets more publicity, more victims may come forward.

"Someone else may look at that and go, 'You know what, that happened to me too,'" said Hofley.

"They may feel more comfortable now that others have come forward."

Hofley added it can be difficult for victims to come forward and talk to police about sexual assaults. 

"Victims of these crimes often do not report them for various reasons, whether they’re feeling ashamed, embarrassed or that, you know, their allegations might not be taken seriously."

The pair were also charged with sexual assault and administering a noxious substance in connection with an assault on a 30-year-old woman in October 2012.

Sex-tape scandal

Five years ago, Gordon and Burgoyne made headlines when they were temporarily suspended from their jobs by the Manitoba Justice Department after a sex tape they made with an adult entertainer showed up on the internet.

The officers went to court to have the video removed, claiming they were too intoxicated to understand the consent form they signed.

The courts ordered the sex tape removed from the internet.