Retired Montreal police officer, minor hockey coach charged with sexually assaulting boys

Longueuil Coun. Wade Wilson has come forward as a fifth alleged victim of François Lamarre, a retired Montreal police officer and minor hockey coach who is facing charges related to sexual assault, for allegations involving young boys over a 25-year period.

Lamarre, 70, appeared at the Longueuil courthouse Wednesday. The charges include gross indecency, indecent exposure, sexual assault, sexual touching and invitation to sexual touching.

Wilson, who represents Greenfield Park, alleges he was groped and assaulted by Lamarre 45 years ago, when he was a boy who played sports in the community.

Wilson contacted police Wednesday morning after Longueuil police said Lamarre had been arrested Tuesday and said four alleged victims had come forward.

Police say the alleged assaults happened between 1972 and 1997, and the victims were between the ages of nine and 16.

'I never really processed it'

Wilson said Lamarre, a hockey coach at the time, befriended him and his friends.

"He would take us out for ice cream or hot dogs or whatever and then tried to molest us on several occasions," Wilson told CBC.

Wilson said he wanted to come forward publicly to encourage others to reach out to police.

"I'm finding a little more difficult today than it has been for the last 45 years, because, again, I never really processed it."

"But, you know, realizing how many people it's touched, I second-guessed myself. Now, maybe if I did something years ago, I could have saved a few kids this torture."

'Very black day for Greenfield Park'

Greenfield Park's borough president, Robert Myles, was present during CBC's interview with Wilson Wednesday. He grew emotional, highlighting Wilson's courage in coming forward.

Myles called it a "very black day for Greenfield Park." He said the allegations that a trusted community member may have inflicted harm on young people were "very distressing."

"I think a lot of people just sat on this for the longest time and never really came out with anything, and here we are today that some people built enough courage to denounce it," Myles said. 

Myles said his office has put together a number of resources for victims. 

Police seek other possible victims

Lamarre was a hockey coach in the 1970s and 80s in Greenfield Park, now part of Longueuil.

He lived on Springfield and Campbell streets, and police say some of the assaults are alleged to have taken place at his homes. Other assaults allegedly took place in his vehicles, which included a Ford and a Cadillac, and at hockey arenas.

Some of the boys were hockey players, while others were Lamarre's neighbours. The complainants told investigators some of the assaults took place over several years.

Police say the alleged incidents did not happen while Lamarre was on duty, but the boys were aware that Lamarre was a police officer. Lamarre, who was known as Frank, retired in 1994.

Longueuil police believe there could be other victims, including from other parts of Canada and the United States.

Police are asking anyone with information to come forward.

"If you've been victim of that person or anyone else doing sexual infraction, today you're not alone," said Longueuil police Sgt. Patrick Barrière. "Investigators are there to listen to your story, to help you."

Anyone with information is asked to call Longueuil police at 450-463-7211.