A 30-year-old man who police warned the public about three years ago has been charged with allegedly sexually assaulting a boy he was with at the Red River Ex on the weekend, said police and the man's mother.
Brent Freeman Atatise -- who was on probation at the time of his arrest -- has been charged at least 10 times since 2005 for breaching conditions of his probation after he was released from Stony Mountain Institution for burglary, uttering threats and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl.
Winnipeg police then took the unusual step of publicizing Atatise's release from prison and warning Winnipeggers about Atatise's plan to live in the city. His name and photo were posted on Manitoba Justice's sex-offender notification website with a warning that "all persons are at risk of violent acts and women, particularly young women, are at risk of sexual violence."
Over the past few months, Atatise spent time with at least two children of a female friend, said Atatise's mother, who lives in Lac La Croix First Nation near Fort Frances, Ont., where Atatise is from.
"This is out of nowhere," said Audrey Atatise, who added she believes her son is the victim of false allegations.
On Monday, police announced they arrested Atatise on the weekend after he allegedly sexually assaulted a boy a number of times.
Atatise accompanied the family to the Ex Saturday afternoon, his mother said.
She said she was expecting to see her son Saturday night while she visited the city but that didn't happen.
Police said the boy later told his mother about the alleged sexual assaults and the mother contacted police, who arrested Atatise in the downtown area.
A police spokeswoman said Atatise was with the boy in a group situation in a public place when the alleged sexual assaults occurred.
"He wasn't alone with the child. It happened in a public venue," said the spokeswoman, adding the family had known Atatise for a significant period of time. "He was not alone with the child for an extended period of time."
According to provincial court files, Atatise also has outstanding charges for alleged assault, uttering threats, and other charges relating to an incident earlier this month. It's part of a litany of charges Atatise has faced since his 2005 release.
"He said he was going to go to school and finish his training, then get a job," said his mother, who added she is "proud" of his recent studies to become a professional welder. "He was doing good."
Atatise lived alone in a Furby Street apartment, said Audrey Atatise, and was working to put his past behind him.
She said the mother of the boy had frequent contact with Atatise at her own initiative.
gabrielle.giroday@freepress.mb.ca
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