Former Burns Lake Mayor Luke Strimbold, 27, has been charged with numerous counts of sexual assault and related offences.
Strimbold was elected mayor of Burns Lake in 2011 when he was just 21 years old and was, at that time, the youngest mayor in B.C. He was mayor when the Babine Forest Products sawmill exploded and burned in early 2012 and earned accolades for how he steered the community through the crisis. He stepped down as mayor in 2016 saying he wanted to spend time with family and go back to school. He was also serving as the membership chair of the B.C. Liberal party until the charges were revealed.
The RCMP is seeking the assistance from the public to further the police investigation in finding other victims and witnesses. Strimbold is facing allegations that occurred in 2016.
According to the CBC, Strimbold is facing eight counts of sexual assault, seven counts of sexual interference, five counts of invitation to sexual touching and four counts of sexual exploitation. None of the allegations have been proven in court.
Strimbold’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 6 in Burns Lake.
If you believe that you, or someone you know, has been a victim of a crime involving Mr. Strimbold, please call the Burns Lake RCMP non-emergency number at 250-692-7171 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.