National News posted Jun 17, 2025 @ 02:00am by Canadian Press

Child sex charges stayed against First Nation chief

Crown prosecutors have stayed child sex charges against the chief of a Manitoba First Nation.

The provincial court says charges of sexual assault, sexual interference and possessing and making child pornography were stayed Friday against Christopher Traverse.

His lawyer, Candace Olson, says the complainant admitted during testimony that she lied about the allegations.

<who> Photo credit: Canadian Press </who> Lake St. Martin First Nation Chief Christopher Traverse walks through the lobby of the Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023.

Traverse was the leader of Lake St. Martin First Nation in the Interlake region when he was arrested in April 2024.

He was accused of forcing the girl when she was eight into a bathroom in his home, taking photos or her and sexually assaulting her in December 2023.

Traverse pleaded not guilty to the charges and maintained his innocence during his trial, which started in March.

The Crown's office says in an email that based on new information presented at the trial, it was determined it was no longer appropriate to proceed with the case.

Send your comments, news tips, typos, letter to the editor, photos and videos to [email protected].