A 43-year-old resident of Winnipeg was arrested on a Canada-wide warrant by Winnipeg police on March 28. Derek Taplin was wanted on several sex-crime-related charges stemming from an investigation that was being conducted by Three Hills RCMP.

According to police, in June 2021, police began an investigation after receiving a report regarding an alleged historic sexual assault. The investigation led police to identify four alleged victims from multiple incidents at the Prairie College in Three Hills, spanning two years from 2002 to 2004.

"The investigation is still ongoing and police believe there may be more victims and are urging any other victims or anyone with information to come forward," a police press release stated.

Police have released a photo of Taplin to aid in their ongoing investigation.

Taplin is charged with four counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Young Person, four counts of Sexual Interference, four counts of Sexual Assault, and four counts of Invitation to Sexual Touching.

The RCMP underlined that a complaint for sexual offences can be made at any time, no matter how far back the incident happened.

"Sexual assault is a serious crime, and the Three Hills RCMP investigates every complaint thoroughly, with the utmost professionalism and care."

If you are a survivor of sexual assault or harassment, or if you have information about a crime of sexual nature that may assist an ongoing investigation, please contact the Three Hills RCMP at 403-443-5539.

If you would like to remain anonymous, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).  

A court date for Taplin is unknown at this time. 

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