Ottawa

Cpl. Derrick Gallagher of Petawawa facing 8 sexual assault charges

Ontario Provincial Police are looking for women who have been in contact with a member of the Canadian Armed Forces in Petawawa, Ont., who is facing multiple sexual assault and voyeurism charges.

Any women with information about soldier, or who have had contact with him, are asked to contact OPP

Petawawa soldier faces sexual assault charges

11 years ago
Duration 2:50
Cpl. Derrick Gallagher was based at CFB Petawawa when the alleged incidents took place.
Gallagher lives in this multi-unit building in Petawawa. A neighbour told CBC News Friday that Gallagher 'seemed like a decent person.' (CBC)
Ontario Provincial Police are looking for women who have been in contact with a member of the Canadian Armed Forces in Petawawa, Ont., who is facing multiple sexual assault and voyeurism charges.

Cpl. Derrick Gallagher, 31, was arrested Monday after a woman came forward to police on March 29, launching an investigation that led police to other alleged victims.

Gallagher is charged with eight counts of sexual assault and two counts of voyeurism involving multiple victims.

The incidents are alleged to have taken place in the town of Petawawa between January 2007 and March 2014, according to court documents.

OPP Sgt. Kristine Rae told Radio-Canada she doesn't know how many victims there are exactly, and that police are looking into whether drugs were involved in any of the alleged assaults.

OPP are asking any woman who has been in contact with Gallagher, or who has any information on the case, to contact investigators at 613-735-0188.

Gallagher joined military in 2005

CBC News has confirmed Gallagher is an infantryman with the 1st Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment, based at CFB Petawawa.

Gallagher joined the military in December 2005 and served in Afghanistan from September 2008 to April 2009, according to military officials at the base. They said military police are not involved in the investigation, but are willing to help OPP if requested.

Kimberley Maxwell, who lives in the same multi-unit Petawawa building as Gallagher, said Friday that she wasn't aware of any police investigation until police arrived to speak to Gallagher.

"I've heard little bits and pieces but ...  I have no idea what happened," Maxwell said. "I talked to him, like, 'Hi, how are you doing?' in the hallways. He seemed like a decent person. I just never had an actual conversation with him.… He wasn't here too long.

"I'm just waiting to find out [what happened] like everyone else, I guess."

Gallagher is scheduled to make a court appearance on April 10 in Pembroke.