Snowbirds pilot charged with sexual assault
CBC
Military police investigators charged a Canadian Forces Snowbirds pilot with sexual assault Saturday, following an investigation into allegations that another member of the military had been the victim of sexual misconduct.
The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service, the investigative unit of the Canadian Forces Military Police, charged Maj. Steven Hurlbut following an investigation into allegations that sexual misconduct occurred in Barrie, Ont.
The investigative branch assumed responsibility for the case on June 14, based on the case's circumstances and applying a "victim centric approach," says a news release issued by the Department of National Defence on Monday.
The Snowbirds, the air demonstration squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force, were in Barrie just over a week ago, before travelling to New Brunswick for shows.
One of the pilots was suddenly reassigned to non-operational duties ahead of a performance in Moncton, N.B., last weekend due to sexual misconduct allegations, according to a statement from two air force commanders issued by the Department of National Defence on Saturday.
The victim was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, the statement said.
The accused was reassigned to 15 Wing in Moose Jaw, Sask., where the Snowbirds are based.
The matter will now go through the civilian justice system, the Department of National Defence said Monday. The department says no further information will be available.
The military judicial system can try members that breach the code of service discipline, as detailed in the National Defence Act. But the civilian judicial system prosecutes a series of offences involving military members, including murder, manslaughter and sexual assault.
The Criminal Code of Canada states that someone convicted of sexual assault is either guilty of an indictable offence and is liable to a prison sentence up to 10 years, or an offence punishable on summary conviction and is liable to imprisonment up to 18 months.
The maximum sentences increase if the complainant is younger than 16 years old.
Summary offences are less serious than indictable offences, according to the Department of Justice's website. The person charged is usually not arrested, unless they are found committing the crime. They're given a notice to appear in court, but they can be represented by their lawyer or "an agent" unless the judge asks the accused to appear.
Someone charged with an indictable offence is arrested by police, assuming there are "reasonable grounds" to believe the accused committed the crime, the website says. They must appear in court.
Hurlbut, originally from Calgary, has been involved in the military for decades, including flying as a fighter pilot in Iraq and Syria. He joined the Snowbirds in 2021.
This First Person column is the experience of Shannon Flaman, who lives in Red Deer, Alta. For more information about CBC's First Person stories, please see the FAQ.
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