Ontario police have recently made a significant arrest in relation to sexual offences involving several former students. Phillip Baugniet, founder and former principal of FACE school, was apprehended on October 11th by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and charged with multiple sexual offences under the provisions of the Criminal Code from 1970. The charges include seven counts of indecent assault on a male, buggery, sexual assault on a person under 16 years of age, two counts of sexual assault, and three counts of sexual interference.
Baugniet, now 80 years old and residing in Victoria, B.C., was arrested by the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry detachment of the OPP Crime Unit in collaboration with Victoria police. The OPP initiated their investigation in May after receiving information from the Montreal police. Following a bail hearing, he was released from custody and is set to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cornwall on November 16th.
The alleged incidents occurred during the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s when Baugniet was the principal at FACE school and owned a farm in Lunenburg, Ont., located approximately 20 kilometers west of Cornwall. It is reported that the students visited the farm on multiple occasions during that period.
Aside from his role at FACE school, Baugniet also served as the principal at Victoria School and École secondaire Outremont, and worked as a teacher at Lachine High School. A group of students from FACE and Victoria schools filed a class-action lawsuit against him in February, accusing Baugniet of sexually assaulting them between 1973 and 1991.
In September, an amendment to the class-action application was approved, which removed the Centre de services scolaire de Montréal as a co-defendant and included the account of a former student from Lachine High School. Currently, Baugniet and the English Montreal School Board remain as co-defendants in the lawsuit.
Authorities are urging anyone with relevant information regarding this case to contact the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry OPP Crime Unit at 1-888-310-1122. Individuals who wish to remain anonymous can also reach out to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
FAQ:
Q: Who was arrested in relation to sexual offences involving former students?
A: Phillip Baugniet, founder and former principal of FACE school.
Q: What are the charges against Baugniet?
A: He faces multiple charges, including seven counts of indecent assault on a male, buggery, sexual assault on a person under 16 years of age, two counts of sexual assault, and three counts of sexual interference.
Q: When is Baugniet scheduled to appear in court?
A: Baugniet is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cornwall on November 16th.
Q: Which schools did Baugniet work at?
A: Baugniet served as the principal at FACE school, Victoria School, and École secondaire Outremont. He also worked as a teacher at Lachine High School.
Q: Is there a class-action lawsuit against Baugniet?
A: Yes, a group of students from FACE and Victoria schools filed a class-action lawsuit against him, alleging sexual assault between 1973 and 1991.
Q: How can individuals provide information about this case?
A: Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry OPP Crime Unit at 1-888-310-1122. They can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.