WAINWRIGHT, Alta. – The former commanding officer of an Armed Forces base in Alberta has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault.
But Maj. David Yurczyszyn (YER’-chih-sihn) has entered a guilty plea at his court martial to a charge of drunkenness under the National Defence Act.
Yurczyszyn was removed from the top post at the training base near Wainwright, southeast of Edmonton, after he was charged last year.
The offences allegedly took place at or near the base on Remembrance Day in 2012.
“Major Yurczyszyn is accused of touching a woman’s breast without her consent,” prosecutor Lt.-Cmdr. Saloumeh Torani said Monday.
A decade earlier, Yurczyszyn was charged in Ontario with making homemade porn and showcasing it at military parties.
A judge dismissed the charges against Yurczyszyn but convicted two other officers in the case.
The prosecution wrapped up its case and the defence began with its evidence. The defence is to continue Tuesday.
Yurczyszyn is now stationed in Ottawa at army headquarters, said Lieut. Jessica MacDonald.
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