Police appealing to public for information on charges against former teacher

The Estevan Police Service is asking the public to come forward if they have information related to charges laid against a man who taught at Estevan Comprehensive School (ECS), or any other offences.

Police arrested 35-year-old Joshua Regis LeBlanc on Friday, May 13, and charged him with:

Luring a person under the age of Eighteen – Sec. 172.1(1) C.C.

Sexual Exploitation – Sec. 153(1) C.C.

Sexual Assault – Sec. 271 C.C.

On Tuesday police issued a release asking people with information pertaining to those, or any other offences, to contact their Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU) by calling 306-634-4767. 

"The Southeast Regional Victim Services Unit is available to assist and is an invaluable option for residents in SE Saskatchewan, they can be contacted directly at 306-842-4797," said police in the release.

South East Cornerstone Public School Division Deputy Director of Education Keith Keating said LeBlanc became a teacher with the division in 2009. He was employed at ECS from August 2011 until his resignation on June 30, 2021.

Keating said LeBlanc had not been in the classroom since September 3, 2020.

Keating said the school division "does not know the details of the allegations but will co-operate with police in any investigation."

He could not comment on whether LeBlanc had ever faced any disciplinary action.

"The School Division is not able to respond to questions of a personal nature regarding any employee. Personal information includes employment details such as any leaves, suspensions or other absences from work or any possible disciplinary matters."

The Saskatchewan Professional Teachers Regulatory Board does not list LeBlanc in its public registry.

Board Registrar and COO Trevor Smith said in an email that "the information available through the public registry represents the full extent of the information that we are able to provide.  Teachers who have had their certificate suspended or revoked by the SPTRB will appear on the public registry even if they are not registered for the current year."

There's no word yet on when LeBlanc is due in court to face the allegations. He was not remanded into custody following the charges.