Sexual assault charges laid against civilian cadet instructor

News Release

Sexual assault charges laid against civilian cadet instructor

August 17, 2016 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

On August 15, 2016, the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) arrested and laid charges against Julian Morello, a civilian instructor employed at Blackdown Cadet Training Centre at Canadian Forces Base Borden between June and August 2016.

The charges relate to an alleged failure by the accused to disclose his status as HIV positive prior to a sexual relationship with a member of the Canadian Armed Forces. At this time, the CFNIS is not aware of any sexual involvement by the accused with cadets at the camp.

Julian Morello, 20, of Burlington, Ontario, faces four counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault contrary to section 273(2)(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada for having sexual relations and failing to disclose his status as HIV positive.

When arrested, the accused was remanded into custody at the Barrie Police Service. He is scheduled to appear for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Barrie, Ontario, on August 18, 2016.

CFNIS investigators have reason to believe that Julian Morello may have had other sexual partners. Anyone who has information or concerns from meeting with this individual is encouraged to seek medical attention and contact the local police or the CFNIS (Borden Region) through the Borden Military Police at: (705) 423-2241.

QUOTE

“The safety, health and well-being of victims are paramount. We take all allegations of sexual assault seriously and investigate the allegations to determine the facts, analyze the evidence and, if warranted, lay the appropriate charges.”
– Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Bolduc, Commanding Officer, Canadian Forces National Investigation Service

QUICK FACT

• The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service is a unit within the independent Canadian Forces Military Police Group whose mandate is to investigate serious and sensitive matters in relation to Department of National Defence (DND) property, DND employees and Canadian Armed Forces personnel serving in Canada and around the world.