THUNDER BAY - A local man is facing numerous charges relating to allegations of sexual assault, child pornography, and voyeurism and police believe there are additional victims.
Douglas George Niles, 51, of Thunder Bay was arrested Tuesday morning following a search of his residence on the zero-to-100 block of Bendell Street.
Investigators with the Thunder Bay Police Service Major Crimes Unit became aware of an incident of sexual assault involving an unconscious female victim while reviewing digital evidence in an unrelated case.
As part of the investigation, four victims of sexual assault were identified, which includes three adult females and one youth. The assaults appear to date back to 2013.
Several electronic devices were seized from Niles’ home that investigators are continuing to review.
“The initial review of these devices, investigators have learned there are possibly other victims that investigators are unable to identify,” said Det. Sgt. Jason Rybak with the Thunder Bay Police Service.
“The Major Crimes unit is asking anyone who may have had a concerning interaction with Douglas Niles to contact the Thunder Bay Police Service Major Crimes Unit, as investigators believe some of the victims may have been incapacitated and may have an incomplete memory of the interaction with Douglas Niles. They may also not be aware they were assaulted.”
According to Rybak, the four identified victims were known to Niles and he described them as vulnerable members of the community.
Niles is facing two counts of sexual assault, two counts of voyeurism, one count of sexual interference, sexual exploitation, utter threats to cause death or bodily harm, invitation to sexual touching under the age of 16, overcome resistance by attempting to choke, suffocate, or strangle, and possession of child pornography.
Niles has also been charged with four counts of unauthorized possession of a weapon, four counts of careless storage of a firearm, three counts of knowledge of unauthorized possession of a weapon, one count of tampering with a serial number of a firearm, and one count of possession of cocaine.
Anyone who may be uncomfortable speaking with police can also contact the Thunder Bay Sexual Abuse Centre. Rybak is encouraging anyone who may have had a concerning interaction with Niles but may be unsure if they were victim of sexual assault to still contact police.
“We encourage them to reach out to us so we can identify these individuals and may help navigate thoughts they may have if they were victimized or not,” he said.
Niles appeared in court on Wednesday and was remanded into custody with a future court date.
Anyone with information that could assist in this investigation is encouraged to contact the Thunder Bay Police Service at 684-1200.
