Retired Nunavut teacher facing 40 child sex charges to stay in custody

Johnny Meeko, a former school teacher in Sanikiluaq, who faces 40 sex charges, is brought into the Nunavut Court of Justice Aug. 24. A Sept. 6 bail hearing determined Meeko will remain in jail. (FILE PHOTO)

The former Sanikiluaq teacher, Johnny Meeko, 58, who’s facing 40 mostly sex-related charges, will remain in jail until numerous charges facing him are decided in court.

Justice of the Peace Nicole Sikma sent him back to the Baffin Correctional Centre Sept. 6 after a show-cause hearing at the Nunavut Court of Justice, which had been postponed twice before.

After lengthy arguments by defense counsel Deanna Harris and Crown prosecutor Doug Garson, Sikma decided against releasing Meeko.

Sikma rejected a plan that would have seen Meeko, who is from Sanikiluaq, move to nearby Kuujjuaraapik in Nunavik, where his wife and daughter would have been responsible for him.

When the bail hearing was set to go ahead on Sept. 5, Meeko’s defense lawyer found out that 11 more charges had been laid against Meeko.

Sikma did not state why she came to her decision during the hearing.

Meeko again wore a blue sweat suit to court, and spoke to Harris from time to time during the proceedings. He did not show emotion when Sikma told him that he will remain in custody.

Meeko’s next appearance in court is Oct. 2. The Sanikiluaq RCMP began investigating Meeko in July of 2012. Meeko retired from teaching in 2009.

Evidence given at show-cause hearings, including arguments made by lawyers, may not be published or broadcast.