An Officer Cadet in the Royal Military College of Canada is facing a sexual assault charge after a reported incident at the Cold Lake Cadet Training Centre last July.
Officer Cadet Oscar Morgado from Montreal was also charged with one count of drunkenness under the National Defence Act. The incident in question is said to have involved himself and a reservist who was part of the cadets instructors cadre. Morgado was initially arrested on July 5th and was released on conditions to stay under military authority, keep the peace and be on good behaviour, not to communicate with the victim, and to abstain from alcohol.
The Department of National Defence has released an official statement. “The Canadian Armed Forces takes all reports of sexual misconduct by its members very seriously and, in all cases, action is taken to determine facts, conduct applicable investigations, analyze available evidence and, if warranted, lay the appropriate charges. These charges reflect ongoing efforts to help ensure a respectful, healthy professional environment for all members,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Bolduc, the Commanding Officer with the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service.”
The matter is now in the hands of the military justice system and may eventually lead to a court martial. A date for possible court martial has not yet been determined.