Quarantine screening officer charged with sex assault, extortion in Oakville
Posted February 24, 2021 1:24 pm.
Halton police say a security guard working as a quarantine screening officer has been charged with sexual assault and extortion after an incident during a compliance check in Oakville.
Police say it happened when the suspect was conducting a quarantine compliance check at a residence in Oakville on Feb. 18.
“The accused informed the victim that they were in violation of the quarantine order and demanded that a fine be paid in cash. When the victim declined to pay, she was sexually assaulted by the accused,” police said in a release.
On Tuesday, police charged 27-year-old Hemant (full name) of Hamilton with one count each of sexual assault and extortion.
Police note that screening officers contracted by the Public Health Agency of Canada are not police officers and cannot issue a ticket or conduct an arrest.
“Immediate demand for payment of any kind should never be made in the course of a quarantine compliance check,” police said.
Police say in this case the accused is employed by one of the four private security companies hired and trained by the Public Health Agency of Canada to be a designated screening officer under the Quarantine Act.
