OPP charge 42-year-old in historical IPV case; penalties explained; tips sought

SAULT STE. MARIE / NETMIZAAGGAMIG NISHNAABEG (Pic Mobert FN) — The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have charged a 42-year-old Sault Ste. Marie resident following a historical intimate partner violence investigation spanning incidents in Pic Mobert First Nation and Sault Ste. Marie over several years.

To protect the victim’s identity, police are not releasing the accused’s name. The OPP North West Region Crime Unit continues to investigate under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, with support from the North East Region Crime Unit.

Charges Laid (Criminal Code of Canada)

• Assault (four counts) — s.266 (hybrid).
  Maximum penalty: up to 5 years’ imprisonment if prosecuted by indictment; up to 2 years less a day and/or a fine up to $5,000 on summary conviction.

• Sexual Assault (two counts) — s.271 (hybrid).
  Maximum penalty: up to 10 years on indictment (14 years & mandatory minimums if the complainant is under 16); up to 18 months on summary conviction (2 years less a day and 6-month minimum if the complainant is under 16). Dangerous Operation Causing Bodily Harm — s.320.13(2).
  Maximum penalty: up to 14 years’ imprisonment; courts must also impose a driving prohibition (see below).

• Mischief (two counts) — s.430(2) (mischief that causes actual danger to life).
  Maximum penalty: life imprisonment (indictable).

All accused are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Possible Sentencing Outcomes If Convicted

Actual sentences depend on the facts, prior record, and Crown election.

• Assault (s.266): up to 5 years (indictable) or up to 2 years-less-a-day and/or $5,000 fine (summary). Justice Laws Website

• Sexual Assault (s.271): up to 10 years (indictable; 14 if victim under 16). On summary conviction, up to 18 months (or 2 years-less-a-day if victim under 16). A Sex Offender Information Registration Act (SOIRA) order is typically mandatory on conviction, with duration 10, 20, or life depending on factors; for offences with a 10-year maximum (like s.271 with an adult complainant) courts generally impose a 20-year SOIRA order.

• Dangerous Operation Causing Bodily Harm (s.320.13(2)): up to 14 years; plus a mandatory driving prohibition. For a first offence causing bodily harm, the prohibition must be at least 2 years and up to 10 years; longer if prior related convictions or if death resulted.

• Mischief causing actual danger to life (s.430(2)): life imprisonment maximum.

IPV-Specific Sentencing Considerations

Canadian law treats intimate partner violence as an aggravating factor. Courts must give primary consideration to denunciation and deterrence in offences involving abuse of an intimate partner, and must consider the increased vulnerability of female victims, with particular attention to Indigenous women and girls. Repeat IPV offending can warrant harsher sentences. Court Date & How to Share Information

The accused is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Sault Ste. Marie on a later date.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or visit ontariocrimestoppers.ca.