Trial dates have been set for a man accused in a historic sexual assault case from his time at Prairie Bible College in Three Hills.
In March of this year, Derek Taplin was apprehended by Winnipeg Police on a Canada-wide warrant and 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.
His arrest followed a two-year investigation undertaken by Three Hills RCMP.
Through the investigation, police have identified four alleged victims from multiple incidents at Prairie College between 2002 and 2004. Taplin was a student union president, a volunteer position, and was not employed by the college.
On Friday, October 19 an agent for Taplin’s council appeared in Alberta Court of Justice in Drumheller. Trial dates were set for November 26-29, 2024 and December 3, 2024.
Defense waived delay.
According to a police release at the time of the arrest, police believe there may be more alleged victims and are urging any other victims or anyone with information to come forward.
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), by downloading the secure P3 Mobile App, or by submitting a form online at P3Tips.com.
