A Kelowna Mountie who’s alleged to have sent graphic and sexually explicit text messages to a victim in a case he was investigating now faces two criminal charges.
Const. Sean Eckland was charged on Thursday with two counts of obstructing justice contrary to section 139(2) of the Criminal Code, under provincial court file number 97113-1.
“The charges were approved by an experienced Crown Counsel with no prior or current connection with the officer,” the B.C. Prosecution Office said in a media release.
The first appearance on this matter is scheduled for April 4 in Kelowna provincial court.
It’s nearly four years to the date that the alleged offences occurred.
On April 22, 2018, officers responded to the 13000 block of McCreight Road in Lake Country.
At the time, RCMP said in a press release that they were met outside the home by a severely beaten woman and a delirious and incoherent man.
As the case proceeded through the courts, and the accused was convicted and sentenced for the attack, it’s alleged that Eckland was sexting the victim from his personal cell phone.
In December of 2019, an internal RCMP investigation into this matter got underway. Eckland was then suspended with pay and his duty status was subject to continual assessment.
In an email to Global News, RCMP said they were aware of the charges against Eckland, but are reserving comment as the matter is now before the court.
However, the RCMP confirmed that Eckland remains suspended with pay and that his duty status is subject to continuous review and assessment.
Further, police said its code-of-conduct process remains ongoing.