Beaufort Delta teacher released on bail after sexual abuse allegations

A Beaufort Delta teacher facing nine charges related to alleged sex crimes against a minor has been released on bail and is asking to have his case transferred to Yellowknife.

Richard McKinnon, 44, was arrested by RCMP in Inuvik on Aug. 5. The former warden is charged with two counts of sexual assault, sexual interference, two counts of sexual exploitation, solicitation of sexual contact, making sexually explicit material available to a child, sexual assault and breach of trust.

The earliest allegations date back to 2018. The charges all relate to incidents that allegedly occurred between 2018 and 2020 in Inuvik and Ulukhaktok, the RCMP said. They all involve the same alleged victim.

When the RCMP announced the charges earlier this month, they also put out a call for other potential victims to come forward.

None of the charges against McKinnon have been proven in court.

McKinnon posted $1,000 bail two days after his arrest and is on parole. Conditions include that he has no contact with the alleged victim, his family or friends. McKinnon was also ordered to surrender his passport and has no contact with anyone under the age of 18 unless “in the immediate presence of a sober adult.”

At the time of his arrest, McKinnon was employed as an assistant principal at the Beaufort Delta Divisional Education Council.

Beaufort Delta education officials did not respond to CBC’s questions about McKinnon’s employment status. McKinnon was removed from the board’s website last week after the board of education released a statement about the charges.

“We understand that incidents like this shock our community and undermine trust. Please know that we are committed to transparency and accountability, and dedicated to ensuring that our schools provide safe and nurturing spaces for all students,” said the statement, signed by Board Superintendent Devin Roberts.

McKinnon was originally scheduled to make his first court appearance in Inuvik on September 24, but his defence has requested that the case be moved to Yellowknife, as McKinnon no longer lives in Inuvik.