Vernon RCMP detachment
(CHARLOTTE HELSTON / iNFOnews.ca)
February 11, 2015 - 2:56 PM
VERNON - A former Vernon Mountie awaiting trial on child pornography charges was arrested in Alberta last week for impaired driving and possession of stolen property.
RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Sharon Franks says Ryan Hampton, 37, was arrested Feb. 2 by police in Strathmore, Alta. After pulling him over, officers searched the vehicle and found a red and blue RCMP light bar and a siren. The police equipment is alleged to be stolen.
As of Feb. 4, Hampton was being held in police custody for a March 17 appearance in Strathmore Provincial Court. Franks could not say whether Hampton has since made bail.
Hampton was charged in June 2013 with possession of child pornography, accessing child pornography and obstructing a police investigation. His trial in Vernon Supreme Court is scheduled for March 2.
“If he were held in custody at that time (of his trial date) the RCMP would ensure he was transported to make that appearance,” Franks says. “We wouldn’t condone someone not appearing before a judge.”
At the time of his arrest, the Southeast District RCMP issued a press release saying Hampton’s offences occurred while off duty.
Hampton has since resigned from the RCMP.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015