Teacher charged with sexually assaulting Calgary teenager

Calgary police have charged a teacher with sexually assaulting a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.

In a news release Monday, CPS said the victim, now an adult, was released in 2023.

She reported several incidents of sexual abuse between 2000 and 2003 when her teacher was having an inappropriate relationship with her.

Police believe the attacks began when the victim was 14, a student at École Sainte-Marguerite-Burgeoys, and continued for several years.

“It is believed that the teacher used her position of trust to befriend and develop an ongoing sexual relationship with the victim,” CPS said in a statement.

“Several attacks are believed to have occurred in his vehicle and at his residence.”

Police have charged Mario Joseph Denis Arsenault, 54, of Lewis, with two counts of sexual exploitation and one count of sexual assault.

He is scheduled to appear in court on June 6.

“It takes a lot of courage for victims of sexual assault to come forward to the police, especially when they see someone they trust being exploited,” said Staff Sgt. Tom Hanson, Calgary Police Service Sexual Assault Investigations Officer.

“Young people cannot freely and reasonably consent to any sexual activity with a person of trust and authority, whether they consent or not.”

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police at 403-266-1234. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers.