Quebec priest charged with sexually assaulting a teenager
A Quebec priest has been charged with sexual abuse of a minor, police say.
The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) said its major crimes unit arrested Léandre Lapointe, 63, of Beauceville, at his home.
A charge sheet shows that he is facing four counts of sexual exploitation and two counts of sexual assault of a teenager “while he was in a position of authority or trust.”
The court record alleges the abuse took place on several occasions between Oct. 1, 2010 and Dec. 31, 2011.
Lapointe appeared in court in Val d’Or and was released pending further proceedings.
“The offenses were allegedly committed in several areas of the region while the suspect was working as a priest,” including in the towns of Macamic and Val-d’Or, in Quebec’s Abitibi-Témiscamingue region, the SQ said in a news release on Thursday.
“The investigation suggests that there may be other victims.”
Police did not release any additional details.
People can report sexual offences to police by contacting the Criminal Information Centre online, calling 1-800-659-4264, emailing cic@surete.qc.ca, or visiting their local police department.
