Man charged with luring and sexually assaulting teen

A Winnipeg man is facing multiple charges after police say he lured a teen online and sexually assaulted them.

In July the Winnipeg Police Service’s child exploitation unit received a report that a youth had been sexually assaulted by a man. Investigators learned that between June 20 and July 10 the suspect allegedly communicated with the teen online and arranged to meet with them in person on several occasions. During those meetings, the teen was given gifts and alcohol and was sexually assaulted.

On July 16 investigators arrested David Wayne Thornson, 41, at a home in Headingley. Thornson has been charged with sexual assault, sexual interference, obtaining sexual services from a person under 18 years of age and luring a person under 16 years of age by means of telecommunication.

Thornson was released on a Crown consent court order prohibiting contact with individuals under 18.