Lac La Biche RCMP investigate sexual assault at jail; accused is a civilian guard

On April 23, 2020, Lac La Biche RCMP arrested and charged Rodney Smith (66) of the County of Athabasca with sexual assault.

The charge stems from allegations of an offence which occurred on April 12, 2019 while Smith, a civilian guard, was on duty at the Lac La Biche RCMP Detachment.

Smith is set to appear in Lac La Biche Provincial Court on June 29, 2020.

The RCMP takes all allegations of sexual assault very seriously. While Smith was not an RCMP employee, he was working within an RCMP Detachment. Our investigators worked to determine the circumstances of the assault allegation, identify and preserve evidence, and forward a thorough investigation to Crown counsel where the facts and evidence supported a charge.

As this matter is now before the courts, the RCMP will not be providing any further comment.