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Willams Lake BC Chief Charged with Sexual Interference

Wednesday, 30 August 2017 14:53

The province's prosecution service says Roger William of the Xeni Gwet'in is alleged to have committed the offence in Williams Lake, B-C, on or about May 12th and was scheduled to make his first court appearance today.

VICTORIA - A First Nation chief in British Columbia is facing a charge of sexual interference of a person under the age of 16.

The province's prosecution service says Roger William of the Xeni Gwet'in is alleged to have committed the offence in Williams Lake, B-C, on or about May 12th and was scheduled to make his first court appearance today.

It says special prosecutor Brock Martland approved the charge after he was appointed on Monday because the assistant deputy attorney general considered the matter in the public interest.

William declined comment but referred questions to his lawyer, David Rosenberg.

He describes William as a “tremendous leader and devoted community member” who was “greatly saddened” when he heard the accusation.

Rosenberg says William will “vehemently defend” against the charge in court and called the allegation unfounded.

William, a former champion bull rider, was a leading figure in a landmark Supreme Court of Canada decision that granted the Tsilhqot'in Aboriginal title to more than 17-thousand square kilometres of land in B-C's Nemiah Valley.

The band's website says William was first elected for a five-year term in 2013.

(The Canadian Press)

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