Today, the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) announced that sexual assault charges have been laid against a retired military member.
The member, Sgt. Robert Kohlsmith, was charged with sexual assault contrary to National Defence Act, pursuant to the Criminal Code of Canada on May 11.There are have been several of these type prosecutions in the U.S. over the last few years--almost exclusively sexual assault related.
Apparently, the complaint was first made - to a civilian police force, the Winnipeg Police service - in June 2018. It took military authorities 23 months to lay a charge under the Code of Service Discipline. Presently, courts martial are not being conducted under the Code of Service Discipline, which faces even greater limitations than the civilian criminal justice system. As this matter unfolds, it will be interesting to note why it took so long to lay the charge. In light of the date of the alleged offence, and the (approximately) 3 years delay before a complaint was made, the accused is facing a trial (when and if a court martial is eventually convened) concerning events that allegedly transpired 5 years ago.
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