Cape Dorset teacher charged with sex offenses

A Cape Dorset school teacher has been charged with four sex offences involving minors, and has left the community.

As the result of an investigation, James Rankin, 31, stands charged with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of sexual interference involving female complainants.

Rankin will appear in the Nunavut Court of Justice on Oct. 28 in Cape Dorset.

On Sept. 3, the Cape Dorset RCMP detachment received a complaint of a sexual assault alleged to have occurred at Cape Dorset’s Sam Pudlat School during the 2000 school year.

“There was a disclosure by a victim,” said Const. Viral Borkhataria of the Cape Dorset RCMP detachment.

Borkhataria said the investigation is continuing, and that anyone with relevant information may call the Cape Dorset RCMP detachment at 867-897-1111.

Police say Rankin may not be required to appear in person at the Oct. 28 court date.

Officials at Sam Pudlat School said they have been asked not to make any comment about Rankin.