40-year-old man exploited, sexually assaulted teen he met on social media, Winnipeg police say
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A 40-year-old Winnipeg man has been charged with luring and sexually assaulting a teenage girl, after police say he used a false identity to contact and befriend her over social media.
Sanjay Phulchand Rathod used the name “Sam Rachen” to communicate with the teen over the internet during a roughly three-week period, Winnipeg police allege.
During that time, he made plans to meet with the girl and began an exploitative relationship with her, giving her money and alcohol in exchange for sexual contact, according to police.
The Winnipeg Police Service’s counter-exploitation unit began an investigation last month after receiving a report and arrested Rathod on Tuesday, a Friday news release from police said.
He’s been charged with sexual assault, three counts of obtaining sexual services from a person under the age of 18, and luring a person under 18 years of age via telecommunication.
Police say their investigation is continuing, and are looking for anyone else who may have been in contact with Rathod.
He’s described as approximately six feet tall and 160 pounds, with short, dark-coloured hair, a short goatee and small scarring on his forehead.
Police are asking anyone who had contact with him, or has any other information that may help their investigation, to contact counter-exploitation investigators at 204-986-24281, or to submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.
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