Alberta Man Arrested on Sex Charges Involving Minors While on Bail

Grande Prairie resident Joseph Kidd, 32, is facing 17 charges related to four sexual offence investigations, some of which involve minors. Grande Prairie RCMP handout photo

A man from northern Alberta is facing sexual assault, abduction, and forcible confinement charges involving four girls across three different provinces, including one as young as 12.

Grande Prairie RCMP have filed 17 charges against 32-year-old Joseph Kidd that also include sexual interference, assault while choking, and harassment as a result of RCMP investigations conducted between April and June across B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan.

The four alleged victims range in age from 12 to 18 years old.

Grande Prairie RCMP Supt. Mark MacDougald told reporters during a June 25 press conference that at least some of the four incidents occurred while the suspect was under conditional release from custody.

MacDougald was asked by reporters about the rationale behind Kidd’s ongoing releases into the community, despite being linked to four alleged incidents. He told reporters decisions are made through the courts “based on specific circumstances in each and every case.”

“Police present the information and evidence during the investigation, but ultimately decisions about release, detention, and conditions are made through the court process,” he said.

Investigation No. 1

The RCMP started investigating the Grande Prairie man on April 17 after a 14-year-old girl from B.C. went to the northwest Alberta detachment, MacDougald said.

The girl told police the suspect drove to B.C. to pick her up after they met through social media. The suspect has been accused of driving her to his home in Grande Prairie, where she was allegedly held captive for approximately one week. She wasn’t “able to leave” until the suspect went to work, MacDougald said.

Kidd was charged with sexual assault, sexual interference, forcible confinement, assault while choking, and unsafe storage of a firearm in connection with the incident.

He was remanded into custody until April 20 and was released on April 30 on several conditions, police said in a press release.

Investigation No. 2

Grande Prairie responded to a 911 call at Kidd’s home on May 10 and an investigation resulted in further charges, police said in a press release.

The suspect has been accused of driving to Lloydminster on the Alberta-Saskatchewan border to pick up an 18-year-old girl to bring back to his home. The girl was allegedly assaulted after she refused to have sex.

Kidd was arrested and charged with one count each of assault, assault while choking and sexual assault, and three counts of failing to comply with a release order in connection with the incident.

A justice of the peace released Kidd again on June 1, stipulating several conditions and a cash bail of $7,500, with an order for him to appear in court on June 22, police said.

Investigation No. 3 and 4

Two additional alleged occurrences were reported to law enforcement on June 18.

A 15-year-old girl visited the Grande Prairie RCMP detachment to report that a man had been following her. She said he offered her alcohol to get into his vehicle, according to the police press release.

“On one occasion, she got into his vehicle, and he drove them to his residence, where she was sexually assaulted before leaving,” police said.

Several incidents occurred between June 4 and June 18, leading to Kidd being charged with criminal harassment, sexual interference, sexual assault, and for again failing to adhere to release conditions, police said.

Police received a 911 call from the mother of a 12-year-old girl on the same day the 15-year-old went to the detachment.

The mom told police a man driving a yellow convertible Chevrolet Camaro tried to lure her child into his car.

“RCMP and the Grande Prairie Police Service responded immediately, completed immediate patrols and located Kidd driving the suspect vehicle,” MacDougald said.

Kidd was subsequently charged with abduction of a person under 14 years old and failure to comply with his release conditions.

The suspect is currently in custody until his next court date on July 2.

Joseph Kidd's yellow Chevrolet Camaro convertible. Grande Prairie RCMP handout photo

Police Message

The police do not have enough evidence to confirm there were additional victims but MacDougald said it is plausible there may be others.

MacDougald said the RCMP hope to prevent future occurrences by informing the community and educating parents and guardians.

“This is alarming to the public and that is why we’re bringing the information to your attention today to share publicly,” MacDougald said, before displaying a picture of the suspect and his vehicle. “Parents and guardians, please show the picture to your children and talk to them about safe use of social media.”

Anyone who believes themselves to be a victim or has any information about any of the incidents is asked to contact the Grande Prairie RCMP.