Police fear there may be more victims of a Chilliwack man now charged with sexual assault in addition to earlier charges of possessing child pornography.
James Osell, 43, was arrested at his Chilliwack home in April by members of the RCMP's Internet Child Exploitation Unit.
The residence was searched, and Osell was released the next day after he was charged with possession of child pornography,
Now, after examination of items seized during the first search, Osell is facing nine charges of sexual assault.
He was arrested at an Abbotsford residence on Aug. 22 with assistance from the Abbotsford Police.
"These charges are more significant in the sense that we have evidence of what we allege is hands-on abuse of children by Mr. Osell," ICE member Cpl. Van Laer said in a news release.
He said Osell is charged with two counts of sexual assault, two counts of sexual exploitation, two counts of sexual interference, one additional count of possession of child pornography, one additional count of accessing child pornography and one count of voyeurism.
Police are withholding details to protect the identity of the child victims, but believe there may be more victims out there.
"We have already received a call from a person claiming to have been a victim of Osell in the past, and we encourage anyone in that situation to come forward," Osell said.
"If we have adults today, who allege to have been victimized by Osell when they were kids, by coming forward they could be a great source of support for the current children affected by this case," he said.