A criminal case against a Coquitlam Mountie will go before a judge in the new year.
Today, Dec. 15, the BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) said that Sgt. Antonio Guerrero, Jr., was charged with assault in connection with an incident at the Guildford Way detachment on Dec. 14 and 15, 2022.
The agency did not provide more information about the alleged offence, and Coquitlam RCMP was unable to comment on the matter.
But S/Sgt. Kris Clark, spokesperson for the B.C. RCMP’s E-Division, told the Tri-City News that Guerrero is "currently suspended with pay and his duty status is subject to continuous review and assessment."
"A Code of Conduct investigation has been launched and is currently underway, the specifics of which are subject to the Privacy Act."
The criminal matter will go before Port Coquitlam Provincial Court on Jan. 17, 2024.
Under Section 266 of the Criminal Code, Guerrero faces a maximum of five years in jail if found guilty of an indictable charge or can be punished for a summary conviction.
In a news release, Ann Seymour, spokesperson for the BC Prosecution Service, said the charge was approved yesterday, Dec. 14, "by an experienced Crown Counsel with no prior or current connection with the officer."
"As this matter is now before the court, the BCPS will not be releasing additional information or commenting further at this time."
