Latest News

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Graham James in Winnipeg police custody

By: Gabrielle Giroday

Posted: 10/27/2010 4:54 PM

Graham James: in custody (BILL BECKER / CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES)

WINNIPEG — Graham James has returned to Canada and is in Winnipeg police custody.

The convicted sex offender, wanted on several new charges, was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant, issued earlier this month.

Today, at approximately 6:45 a.m., through mutual agreement, James returned to Canada through Toronto’s Pearson International airport, where he was met by members of the Winnipeg Police Service.

James was escorted back to Winnipeg and he was arrested. He remains in custody.

This investigation is ongoing and no further details will be released

It’s believed James, a former junior hockey coach, had been living and working in Mexico.

James, convicted of hundreds of charges of sexual assault in 1997 and sent to prison for 3 1/2 years, is now facing nine new sexual abuse charges dating as far back as the late 1970s that involved boys in Winnipeg and Swift Current, Sask.

Court documents say James is charged with three counts of sexual assault, three counts of gross indecency, one count of each of attempt to commit buggery, sexual touching and indecent assault.

James’ lawyer, Evan Roitenberg, told The Canadian Press last week his client was committed to addressing nine new charges.

Five of the charges involve allegations he sexually assaulted former NHL star Theoren Fleury, while the other charges involve two unnamed victims.

In 2009, his book Playing With Fire: The Highest Highs and Lowest Lows of Theo Fleury was published, saying James began molesting him when he was 14 years old.

In January of this year, Fleury told media he had filed a complaint with the Winnipeg Police Service, which police confirmed they were pursuing.