Edmonton nightclub employee faces 18 new charges

A 29-year-old Edmonton nightclub employee accusedin August ofthree sexual assaults is facing18 new charges after police began looking forother possible victims.

Staff Sgt. Devin Laforcesaid hecredits media coverage of the initial charges against Matthew McKnightfor helping 14 new different women tocomeforward.

The total number ofwomen making allegations is now17. They rangein age from 17 to 22.

"This is very serious, " Laforce, who works in the sexual assault section,said Wednesday.

"We certainly have had other investigations that involve a large number of complainants. This is the first time in recent memory of having that number of complainants that are all advancing to court.'

New charges announced Wednesdayagainst the 29-year-old McKnightinclude12 more counts of sexual assault, two counts of assault and four counts of unlawfulconfinement.

The new charges involve alleged incidents occurring between December 2013 and July 2016, all of them connected to Edmonton's service industry.

"Certainly the complainants themselves all had some similarities," Laforce said. "There's a pretty tight age range that was targeted."

Laforce said McKnightused his position "to target the complainants" who were within the same industry.

Edmonton man charged with 3 sexual assaults

OnAug.10,McKnightwas charged withsexual assault causing bodily harm, two counts of sexual assault andunlawful confinement in relation to three alleged victims.

On his Twitter account,McKnightidentified himself as the director of sales and marketing forUrbanSparqHospitality, acompanythatowns several prominent Edmonton bars includingKnoxville's Tavern and The Old StrathconaRack.

After police laid the first charges against McKnightin August, Urban Sparq Hospitality manager Brendan Crooks issued a statement that said the company takes the matter "extremely seriously and will fully cooperate with Edmonton police in any manner they ask us to."

McKnight, who is currently out on bail, is expected to appear in court on Nov. 7.

Police saythere may be more victims and encourage them to come forward.