DNA leads police to charge Oliver James Doherty in Edmonton

The Edmonton Police Service and the Leduc Detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have identified a suspect who has been charged in relation to five alleged sexual assault cases – four of those considered unsolved cases. The accused was linked to all five cases through DNA.

In January 2011, the Leduc RCMP identified and charged a 37-year-old male residing in Leduc County, with one count of sexual assault. Exhibits collected during the investigation were analyzed by the RCMP Forensic Crime Lab that linked the Leduc incident to four other sexual assault files dating back to 2004.

The DNA from the Leduc case was linked to two sexual assault cases reported in Edmonton in July and November 2004, as well as one case in Vegreville occurring in December 2004, and finally another reported in New Westminster, B. C., back to February 2010.

“Incidents reported immediately to police authorities presented the opportunity to gather the best evidence, which included DNA,” said Staff Sergeant Deb Jolly of the Sexual Assault Section.

The investigation is ongoing.

Oliver James Doherty, 37 has been charged in relation to the incidents in Edmonton and Vergreville with unlawful confinement ( x3), sexual assault with a weapon, uttering threats to cause death, possession of an offensive weapon, fail to stop at scene of accident, choking to over come resistance, sexual assault causing bodily harm (x2), and breach of recognizance ( x4).

Doherty’s next court appearance will be May 27, 2011.