A former member of the Naval Fleet School at CFB Esquimalt has had one of two counts of sexual assault dropped as part of an ongoing investigation.
Navy Lt. Ronald Clancy was charged with two counts of sexual assault in connection to incidents which allegedly took place in 2017. The charges involve another member of the Canadian Armed Forces who was also attending the Naval Fleet School in Esquimalt. Clancy was also charged with one count of behaving in a disgraceful manner and two counts of conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline.
READ MORE: Former CFB Esquimalt naval officer charged with sexual assault
The charges came forward in August 2018.
After charges were laid, they were referred to the Director of Military Prosecutions, and a military prosecutor was appointed to conduct a post-charge review.
“When conducting a post-charge review, prosecutors must conduct a two-stage analysis to determine whether or not to prefer the charges for trial by court martial,” said Maj. Doug Keirstead, spokesperson for the Canadian Armed Forces in an email.
ALSO READ: Civilian living at CFB Esquimalt faces drug trafficking, assault charges
“The military prosecutor preferred one charge of behaving in a disgraceful manner, and two charges of conduct to prejudice of good order and discipline, to the Court Martial Administrator for trial by court martial at a date and location still to be determined. One charge of sexual assault was not preferred.”
More information as to why this charge was dropped could not be released because it’s part of an ongoing case.
The second count of sexual assault against Clancy is now being considered by the civilian criminal justice system.
