Bail hearing set for man accused of drugging and assaulting Calgary sex workers

The man accused of drugging and sexually abusing Calgary sex trade workers will ask a judge to be released on bail.

Richard Mantha, 59, faces 16 charges in connection with allegations he attacked three women.

The women were all picked up on a known sex worker stroll in Forest Lawn and taken to a rural property east of Chestermere, according to police.

On Thursday, defence lawyer Kim Arialappeared before Justice Brandy Shaw andscheduled a bail hearing to take place May 12.

• Man accused of drugging, raping Calgary sex trade workers faced similar charges last year: court docs

Police allege at least three women were approached on 19th Avenue S.E. between December 2021 and March 2023.

They were drugged andtaken to a rural property east of the city where they were physically and sexually assaulted, according to the Calgary Police Service (CPS).

Police spent five days over the Easter weekend searching that property an acreage about 16 kilometres east of Chestermereon Vale View Road. Investigators appeared to focus on the outbuilding where Mantha was living.

The property is owned by a couple who have been renting a shop to Mantha for about two years.

Further charges possible, police say

Mantha first faces sexual assault charges connected to an allegation he abused a sex trade worker last summer following a Strathmore RCMP investigation.

The case was working its way through the court system, but in March, warrants were issued for Mantha after he missed a court appearance.

Around the same time,Calgary policewere investigating Mantha for crimes related to other city sex trade workers.

RCMP and CPS worked together and ultimately laid new charges involving two more alleged victims.

Police say the investigation remains ongoing and have not ruled out laying further charges.