TORONTO – A Canadian soldier is facing 18 new charges in connection to a series of sexual assaults spanning a period of almost seven years.
Corporal Derrick Gallagher, a member of the Canadian Forces stationed in Petawawa, appeared in a Pembroke courthouse via video link Thursday where he was charged with eight counts of sexual assault, nine counts of voyeurism and one count of assault.
Ontario Provincial Police said the new charges are a result of 10 new victims coming forward. Authorities say the majority of the assaults were videotaped.
The 31-year-old has already been charged with eight counts of sexual assault and two counts of voyeurism.
The public was informed about the OPP investigation on April 4.
The alleged sexual assaults occurred between January 2007 and March 14, 2014.
Police said the women who came forward were mostly from Petawawa, with some residing from the rest of Ontario and Quebec.
Investigators say at least 50 more women may have been victims.
“There’s several women out there that we don’t know where they’re from, and we know this is expanding,” OPP spokeswoman Sgt. Kristine Rae said.
Sources told the Ottawa Citizen some of them were allegedly drugged and may not have realized they were sexually assaulted.
Gallagher joined the Canadian Forces in 2005 and served a tour of duty in Afghanistan from Sept. 19, 2008, to April 9, 2009.
Investigators are still looking to speak with anyone who had previous contact with the accused.
They’ve also released photos of tattoos the 31-year-old has on his shoulders in hopes it will help people identify him.
– With files from The Canadian Press
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