Gagetown soldier faces sexual assault, voyeurism, child porn charges

A soldier at the Canadian military base in Oromocto, N.B., is facing several charges, including sexual assault, voyeurism and possession of child pornography, after electronic devices and videos were seized from his former residence near Washington, D.C., in February.

Cpl. Colin McGregor, a resource management support clerk, was with Canadian Defence Liaison Staff in Washington at the time, Department of National Defence spokesperson Jessica Lamirande, spokesperson told CBC News on Wednesday.

The charges involve two alleged victims, members of the Canadian Armed Forces in Washington and Esquimalt, B.C., at the time of the alleged incidents, said Lamirande. 

After he was charged, McGregor, a 14-year veteran whose service has included three overseas deployments, was moved to the 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown (5 CDSB) in New Brunswick.

"To respect the privacy of the victims," no information about them, such as their gender, age or ranks, will be released, Lamirande said.

Member found recording device

The charges stem from the Washington-area member's discovery of a recording device at their private residence in January, said Lamirande.

"The victim reported discovery of the device to their chain of command and the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service was notified," she said in an email.

When the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service investigated, the device "was linked to the accused," said Lt. (Navy) Blake Patterson, public affairs officer for the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal and Canadian Forces Military Police Group.

Video of alleged sexual assault seized

"Based on that," the investigation service executed a search warrant at McGregor's home on Feb. 16, with the assistance of local police, and seized "a number of computers, hard drives, computer equipment and other media storage devices," said Patterson.

Among the recordings found on those devices was a video of an alleged sexual assault against a member at CFB Esquimalt in 2011, he said.

"That took the investigation beyond just the initial discovery of the device in Washington to the sexual assault alleged to have occurred in Esquimalt, and the charges today reflect both those incidents."

McGregor was arrested that day and later released on conditions, said Patterson.

"Soon after, he was repatriated to his current position in Gagetown."

Military justice system

On Wednesday, McGregor was charged with: ​sexual assault, voyeurism, interception, and breaking and entering, as well as possession of property obtained by crime, theft, transmission of an intimate image, possession of a device for surreptitious interception and possession of child pornography.

The case is proceeding in accordance with the military justice system for possible court martial at a date and location still to be determined.

The Criminal Code charges are punishable under section 130 of the National Defence Act, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison in this case, officials said.

It's unclear whether McGregor is still on active duty, pending a decision on a court martial.

"I can tell you he was working until now," said Capt. Evelyne Lemire, public affairs officer for 5 CDSB. "Now charges have been laid, so I don't know exactly the details of the next coming days."

Investigation continues

McGregor, who joined the military in 2003, has served on various bases over the years, including Kingston and Borden, Ont., said Lemire.

He has also deployed on three missions: Bahrain in 2006, Afghanistan in 2011, and Kuwait in 2014, she said.

"Investigators are currently not aware of any other victims," said Patterson.

The investigation remains open during the ongoing judicial proceedings, he said. Anyone with information related to the case can call the investigation service, or CFNIS, at 1-888-812-3647.

Lt.-Col. Francis Bolduc, commanding officer of the service, said in the statement that investigators had to work with local police in the U.S. to pursue the case.

"This case illustrates the unique international policing role and capability of the Canadian Forces Military Police," he said.