A 52-year-old man from Lynn Lake is facing dozens of criminal charges for alleged sexual offenses involving underage boys.
Arnold Collier was arrested and faces a total of 67 separate charges, including sexual assault, sexual interference and other related offenses.
Lynn Lake RCMP began investigating July 23 when a report was made of an adult male in the area possibly sexually exploiting boys. Once police investigated, they discovered the man had allegedly had young boys under age 16 over at his home, breaching previous court conditions against him.
After over a month of investigation, RCMP have found 11 victims, all male and all under age 16. The victims have each told police they were sexually abused during a timeframe between 2017 and 2020 and said they had been groomed with cash, drugs, alcohol and other items.
A search warrant executed at Collier's home led to RCMP seizing what they described in a news release as "numberous items of evidentiary value." Collier has been remanded in custody in Thompson and will make his next scheduled court appearance there Sept. 3. Lynn Lake RCMP and the provincial Major Crimes Services unit are continuing to investigate.
“What occurred in this small community is devastating. The RCMP, along with external partners, are ensuring that support is being provided to all of the young victims,” said Sgt. Paul Manaigre of the Manitoba RCMP.
“Providing gifts is a common way offenders groom their young victims. It’s very important that parents are aware of this tactic and speak to their children about grooming.”
RCMP believe they may have found all victims related to the case, but other victims or people with information may have not come forward. Any possible victims or sources relating to the case are asked to call Lynn Lake RCMP at (204) 356-8862 or to contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or at manitobacrimestoppers.com.
Survivors of sexual assault can contact Klinic Community Health, a partner of the RCMP, anonymously via their 24/7 sexual assault crisis line at 1-888-292-7565.
