Man, 69, charged with historic sexual offences in Yarmouth, N.S.

A sign for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is pictured on June 23, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / Avery MacRae)

A 69-year-old man has been charged with historic sexual offences that are alleged to have happened in the 1990s and early 2000s in Yarmouth, N.S.

The Nova Scotia RCMP says officers started an investigation last month into alleged sexual offences between 1995 and 2000. The victim, who was a youth at the time, was allegedly sexually assaulted by a man known to them, according to an RCMP news release.

Police executed a search warrant at a Yarmouth property and seized child sexual abuse and exploitation material, several electronic devices and multiple prohibited weapons on Wednesday.

“Officers safely arrested John Lonny Lumsden, 69, of Yarmouth, at the time of the search warrant execution,” the release reads. “He is charged with Sexual Interference, Possession of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials, and Possession of Prohibited Weapons.”

Lumsden appeared in court on Thursday and remains in custody.

Police believe there may be additional victims in Yarmouth. People can submit an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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