Mounties are seeking the public’s assistance in finding anyone who may have fallen victim to a man facing multiple sex crime allegations.
An investigation into the activities of Simon Walter Rypiak started in September of 2015 has led to nine alleged victims being identified by police, across several policing jurisdictions in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and as far away as Quebec.
The ongoing Kelowna RCMP investigation has revealed that the victims range in age from 15 to 20 years old, most of whom were believed to be recruited online through social media platforms.
Investigators also believe that the accused used physical violence to maintain control of his victims whom he forced to work as escorts for him.
The RCMP are concerned that there are more victims who have not yet come forward to police,
said Const. Jesse O’Donaghey spokesperson for the Kelowna RCMP. We would like to encourage these individuals to come forward for help. Charges have now been officially laid against Simon Walter Rypiak of Kelowna, who has been known to use the alias Simon Ross.
Simon Rypiak faces multiple charges which includes procuring a person to have sexual intercourse, material benefit from sexual services, assault, sexual assault, assault causing bodily harm as well as procuring a person under 18 years old to have sexual intercourse.
Anyone who may have been victimized, solicited, or has any information that may assist in the RCMP investigation, is asked to contact Cst. Greg Willcocks of the Kelowna RCMP General Investigations Section (GIS) at 250-470-6317. Remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, leaving a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net or by texting your tip to CRIMES (274637) ktown.