Captain with Air Cadets charged with sex offences against children

UPDATE | The charges against Adrian Schmid changed in April 2023. They became two counts of sexual interference, two counts of invitation to sexual touching, one count of making sexually explicit material available to a person under 16, and one count each of making, accessing and possessing child pornography. His trial is scheduled for September 2024.

A captain with a reserve group that works with Air Cadets is facing nine charges including sexual assault with a weapon and sexual interference, Ottawa police say.

Adrian Schmid, 47, was charged Tuesday following an investigation into sexual assaults police say occurred between January 2020 and June 2022.

The alleged offences were committed toward two kids under 16 at the man's home in the rural Richmond area of Ottawa, police said. 

Police say Schmid was a captain within the Cadet Organization Administration and Training Service (COATS), a branch of the Reserves in the Canadian Armed Forces working with Air Cadets in Ottawa.

He met one of the victims through the program, police said. 

"Once Ottawa Police Services advised us of the arrest and investigation the member was immediately advised to discontinue all Cadet Program activities and contact with cadets," said Daniel Le Bouthillier, head of media relations for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces. 

"Additional administrative measures with regards to this member are ongoing."

Schmid started with the program in 2003 and worked with COATS for approximately 19 years, according to Le Bouthillier.

Le Bouthillier said all adults in direct contact with cadets are held to a high standard of conduct, and are required to undergo a police records check and vulnerable-sector screening every five years.

Schmid is charged with two counts of sexual interference, two counts of sexual assault, three counts of invitations to sexual touching, sexual assault with a weapon and making sexually explicit material available to a person under 16. 

He is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday. 

The sexual assault and child abuse unit can be contacted at 613-236-1222, extension 5944 or via email at SACA@ottawapolice.ca.