A Lower Mainland music teacher has been charged with multiple sex crimes in Coquitlam.
Lamar Victor Alviar is facing three counts of sexual assault, three counts of touching a minor, one count of communicating with a minor to facilitate a sexual offence and one count of possession of child pornography. His first court appearance is Monday in Port Coquitlam.
The 22-year-old was first arrested in August, when the Coquitlam RCMP took the unusual step of releasing his name and photograph to the public even though he had not yet been charged with a crime.
At the time, investigators said three people had reported Alviar to police and that there were likely more who had not yet spoken to police.
Coquitlam RCMP Cpl. Michael McLaughlin said since the name was released, police have been in contact with new witnesses, however no new victims have come forward and the "investigation has essentially been concluded."
"Of course, there is always the possibility that people have not approached police," he said, later adding: "We always encourage people if they believe they have been a victim or a witness of a crime, you can always talk to us."
It is unusual for police to release a photo and description of a suspect involved in a sex assault investigation, McLaughlin added.
"We do not take this step lightly," he said in August. "We only do so when there is an imminent need or an urgent need to forward the investigation or if there is a risk, particularly to underage people. We do not take any chances."
After his arrest, Alviar was released on conditions that prohibit him from being alone with anyone who reasonably appears to be under the age of 16 and he is to have no contact with anyone under the age of 16, including through social media and the internet.
While charges have been laid, police said anyone who believes they or someone they know has been a victim of a crime involving Alviar should call Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550 and ask for the sex crimes unit. The file number is 2019-24019.
