Former pastor at Chinese Christian Church charged in historic sexual assaults
James Andrew Evans faces multiple charges including sexual assault with a weapon and child sexual abuse material possession. Police believe there may be additional victims.
Ottawa police charged James Andrew Evans, 64, with a series of sexual offences involving minors on Monday. Evans was a pastor at the Chinese Christian Church of Ottawa from 2001 to 2005 and previously served at the Toronto Chinese Mennonite Church from 1996 to 2001.
The charges include two counts each of sexual assault with a weapon, sexual assault, and sexual exploitation, plus two counts of possessing a weapon for dangerous purpose and one count of possessing and accessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material.
The press release does not specify where the incidents occurred or their timeframe. Because sexual assault has no statute of limitations, victims can report incidents regardless of when they occurred.
Investigators believe there could be additional victims and are urging people with information to contact police at 613-236-1222 ext. 5944. Sexual assault encompasses any touching without consent of a sexual nature or where the victim's sexual integrity is violated—ranging from unwanted touching to assault involving penetration.