Lethbridge police charge psychiatrist in connection with historic sexual assault

Lethbridge Police have charged a former Lethbridge psychiatrist with the sexual assault of a patient.

A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for the arrest of Duane Bevans, 77, of Provo, Utah.

In 2020 the Lethbridge Police Service took carriage of an historic sexual assault investigation after a female reported that she had been sexually assaulted on multiple occasions by her psychiatrist in the early 1980s.

The investigation determined the sexual assaults occurred between 1981 and 1983 while the psychiatrist was treating the victim and had moved her into his family home. At the onset of the assaults, the victim was 21-years-old and the psychiatrist was 36.

The warrant for Bevans’ arrest does not include provisions for extradition. Determining whether an individual facing criminal charges who residents outside Canada will be extradited, is within the jurisdiction of the courts not police.

Should Bevans attempt to enter Canada, he will be arrested.

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