Police charge male with sexual assault, mischief

Lethbridge Police have charged a 41-year-old male with sexual assault, uttering threats and a dozen other offences stemming from a series of out of control parties at a west side home.

Between August 6 and September 22, police responded to numerous reports of noisy parties, loud music, large groups of young people causing a disturbance and fireworks being set off at a home along the 100 block of McGill Boulevard during all hours of the night. Police attended the home a total of nine times, issuing warnings, tickets and ultimately criminal charges. 

On September 22, police received information that a 15-year-old girl had been sexually assaulted by an adult male occupant during an earlier party. Further investigation determined the incident occurred inside the home and was recorded by multiple partygoers.

During the course of the investigation, which included a neighbourhood canvas, police learned of an additional incident where a neighbour had previously attended the home to talk about the ongoing issues and was subsequently threatened by the male.

Justin Chad Leavitt, 41, is charged with sexual assault, sexual interference, uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, causing a disturbance and 11 counts of mischief – obstruct lawful use of property. 

Following a Judicial Interim Release hearing, Leavitt was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court October 10.