(CONTENT WARNING: The following story includes information regarding sexual offences against children.)
REGINA - RCMP are seeking people to come forward with more information about any sexual offences committed by Richard Dyke.
Dyke, 47, was arrested in Assiniboia last November and now faces 60 charges in connection to historic sexual assaults. He is charged with 14 counts, sexual assault; 14 counts sexual interference; nine counts voyeurism; and 23 counts of making child pornography, all offences under the Criminal Code.
RCMP Chief Superintendent Ted Munro met the media to provide updated further details of the case and on the ongoing investigation.
After he was initially arrested last November, Dyke was charged with multiple sexual offences in connection with three youths under age 12, and has remained in custody. Investigators have determined the residence in Assiniboia had operated as a registered home based daycare.
Since the initial arrest, Saskatchewan RCMP’s General Investigation Section and the Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation Unit have continued to investigate. More than 1.5 million pieces of digital evidence was obtained from electronic devices seized in Nov. 2023. It is believed the images were taken from 2005 to Nov. 2023.
RCMP now say that since the initial investigation, investigators have identified 29 additional victims. All were youth between 18 months to 17 years old at the time of the offences. The majority of the victims were male.
These charges are in addition to those laid in November 2023. In total, there are 32 victims.
Dyke was charged May 13, 2024 and has been in custody since last November. He remains in custody and is due back in Moose Jaw Provincial Court on June 4, 2024 at 10 a.m.
The communities where offences occurred between 2005 and 2023 include Tisdale, Estevan, Assiniboia, Coronach, Gravelbourg and Swift Current. RCMP say it has been confirmed that some of the victims came in contact with Dyke while attending home based childcare and those operated in Coronach, Assiniboia and Swift Current.
Dyke was also an instructor with Royal Canadian Air Cadets in several communities in southern Saskatchewan, and primarily interacted with youth. To date, say the RCMP, investigators have not identified any victims in relation to his role with the Air Cadet program.
“Crime of this nature have a profound impact on victims, their families and the communities in which they occur,” said Munro. “They also weigh heavily on investigators who work tirelessly to bring justice to the victims of crime.”
He pledged the RCMP remain committed to a thorough investigation and follow up on every tip. They encouraged those with additional information to contact the RCMP.
Victim services have and will continue to provide victims and their families with support. RCMP says it is unable to provide additional details of the case, to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation and privacy of the victims.
Saskatchewan RCMP is encouraging those with information or evidence to contact their local RCMP at 310-RCMP. Information can be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
