Sask. RCMP: 60 charges laid following sexual assault/exploitation investigation involving youth

*CONTENT WARNING: Please be aware the following includes information regarding serious offences of a sexual nature against children.*

Members of the Saskatchewan RCMP laid 60 charges against a 47-year-old man from Assiniboia, Sask,. following an extensive sexual assault/exploitation investigation involving youth.

Saskatchewan RCMP Chief Supt. Ted Munro said through investigation, investigators analyzed over 1.5 million pieces of digital evidence which were obtained from 24 terabytes (TB) of seized electronic devices.

“After the extensive work of our investigators on May 13th, 2024, Richard Dyck was charged with the following 14 counts of sexual assault, 14 counts of sexual interference, 23 counts of making child pornography, nine counts of voyeurism,” said Munro. “There are 32 victims in total … the known affected communities include Tisdale, Estevan, Coronach, Assiniboia, Gravelbourg and Swift Current.”

1:46 Sask. RCMP outline charges in ‘significant’ child exploitation case

Last November, Coronach RCMP received a report of a historical sexual assault of a child. As part of that investigation, officers executed a search warrant at a residence in Assiniboia, Sask. Police arrested 47-year-old Dyck, who was later charged with multiple sex-related offences.

The accused remains in custody since his arrest.

“Investigators determined that the residence in Assiniboia was operating as a registered home-based daycare,” Munro said. “The investigation has been ongoing since the original charges were laid in November 2023. It’s being led by the Saskatchewan RCMP’s General Investigations Section (GIS) and the Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) with the assistance of the Saskatchewan Digital Forensics Services.”

RCMP said the evidence gathered is considered child sexual abuse material and it is believed the images were taken from 2005 to November 2023.

Dyck will remain in custody until his next scheduled appearance in Moose Jaw Provincial Court on June 4.