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Police have charged a southern Alberta man in connection to alleged kidnappings and sexual assaults. (Photo: Jewhyte | Dreamstime.com)

Police charge man in southern Alberta with kidnapping, sexual assaults

Apr 10, 2023 | 4:22 PM

CALGARY, AB – A man accused of targeting women in Calgary’s sex trade is facing multiple charges.

Calgary police say officers cordoned off a rural property east of the city looking for evidence after at least three sex workers were drugged and physically and sexually assaulted.

Supt. Cliff O’Brien says the search of the acreage included the use of cadaver dogs, but no bodies have been found.

He says, however, that the investigation remains open and officers are also looking at some missing person cases.

Richard Robert Mantha, who is 59, of Rocky View County, faces 13 charges including kidnapping, forcible confinement, sexual assault with a weapon and sexual assault causing bodily harm.

He is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 10, 2023.

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