Police investigators, who brought in forensic teams and a cadaver dog to search a rural property east of Calgary, allege a man drugged, kidnapped and sexually assaulted three women in the sex trade. The suspect was living in an outbuilding that he rented from the property's owners. The property is seen in Langdon, Alta., Monday, April 10, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
CALGARY – A bail hearing has been scheduled next month for a man accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting three women in Calgary’s sex trade.
Richard Robert Mantha, who is 59, faces 13 offences, which also include sexual assault causing bodily harm and administering a noxious substance.
Police say three sex workers allege they were approached by a man, then drugged and taken to a rural property, where they were physically and sexually assaulted.
The alleged crimes happened in 2021 and 2022.
Mantha was charged after officers cordoned off a property east of Calgary and brought in cadaver dogs, but police said no bodies were found.
He made a court appearance via video, and a bail hearing was set for May 12.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 20, 2023.
