The Nunavut RCMP Specialized Investigation Team (SIT), responsible for conducting investigations of child and youth exploitation, has charged a 64-year old Iqaluit man in relation to several sexual assault investigations involving females under the age of 16 years.
On February 26, 2022, SIT executed a search warrant at the residence of Robert Sheaves, Iqaluit, Nunavut. Sheaves was arrested without incident and has been charged with the following offences in relation to incidents that are alleged to have occurred in Iqaluit between November 2021 and February 2022:
• Six counts of Sexual Assault
• Six counts of Sexual Interference
Sheaves has been remanded into custody since his arrest and appeared before a judge of the Nunavut Court of Justice March 4, 2022. Sheaves was released by the court on numerous conditions that include: not to have contact with any of the victims, witnesses or anyone under 18 years of age, remain inside his residence from 9pm to 6am, not have anyone in his residence and not leave Nunavut. A court-imposed publication ban is in place to protect the identity of the victims.
Throughout these investigations, SIT received assistance from Iqaluit RCMP Detachment and its General Investigation Section, Major Crimes Unit and Digital Forensic Services. SIT would like to thank all of their community partners who assisted with the investigation and with keeping these girls safe.
These investigations are on-going. Police believe there may be additional victims and encourage them to come forward by contacting the Iqaluit RCMP at 979-0123.