Lethbridge Police Service makes an arrest in connection to alleged assault in north Lethbridge. (File photo: LNN)

By Sarah Jones

Charges laid in connection to 2022 sexual assault

Feb 23, 2023 | 1:09 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) has charged a 25-year-old man with sexual assault related to an incident that took place in September 2022.

Police say Russell Galutan Artates was arrested from a north Lethbridge home without incident on February 17, 2023, and is charged with one count of sexual assault.

On September 28, 2022, police responded to a report that a woman had been sexually assaulted by an unknown man who had approached her in the St. Edwards neighbourhood in north Lethbridge.

Police say the victim was able to take a side profile photo of the suspect, who was wearing distinctive clothing.

Two days after the alleged assault took place, police released the photo of the suspect to the public in an effort to help investigators identify the man.

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A composite drawing of the suspect was later released on October 4, 2022, which the LPS says led to many tips from the public.

Police say first attempts to locate the man were unsuccessful, but before the suspect fled the scene, officers say he had discarded the butt of a cigarette, which helped police obtain DNA evidence.

Following further investigation, a DNA warrant was obtained and police say a sample from the suspect was later analyzed and found to be a match to the DNA on the cigarette butt discarded by the offender at the scene.

Artates has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court March 29, 2023.

Read more Lethbridge News Now.

by Sarah Jones

Charges laid in connection to 2022 sexual assault

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