Ottawa man charged in connection to series of assaults in east end, police say

Ottawa Police sign outside headquarters on Elgin St. in Ottawa. (CTV News Ottawa)

The Ottawa Police Service is concerned there may be more victims after charging an Ottawa man in connection to four separate incidents in the city’s east end over the summer.

Police say between July 15 and Sept. 10, the suspect “followed victims down the street before assaulting and making physical contact with them.”

“In other incidents, the accused became a client at a business offering professional services,” police said in a media release Monday morning.

“During that service, he inappropriately made physical contact with the victim, followed them home and harassed them.”

Justin Ricardo Jean Baptiste is charged with 20 counts of criminal harassment, three counts of sexual assault, one count of mischief under $5,000 and one count of having his face disguised.

“The OPS is concerned that there may be more victims. Considering victims may not know the name of the charged person, the Ottawa Police Service have taken the extra step to release his photo,” police said.

“We are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying potential witnesses or victims who have been followed by the accused and/or inappropriately touched or attempted to be touched. We are also seeking victims who offer professional services that have been engaged by the accused and have experienced inappropriate behaviour.”

Police say Jean Baptiste is described as a man in his late 20s with a slender build and wears glasses.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service’s East Investigations Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 3566.