File Photo (Image Credit: Global Okanagan)

By Files from Shaun Penner / Everything GP & Doyle Potenteau / Global Okanagan

Interior Health

Dr. Albert de Villiers, face of Interior Health pandemic response, arrested for sex crimes

Jun 8, 2021 | 7:50 PM

KELOWNA — The chief medical health officer for Interior Health in B.C. has been arrested.

Alberta RCMP said Dr. Albert de Villiers was arrested in Kelowna Tuesday (June 8) on one count of sexual assault and one count of sexual interference.

Grande Prairie RCMP says the charges come after allegations of sexual assaults against a young child were reported to them on May 28 of this year.

The Grande Prairie RCMP Special Investigative Unit initiated the investigation into the allegations, with assistance from the Grande Prairie Caribou Child and Youth Centre.

RCMP say de Villiers remains in custody awaiting a judicial hearing.

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He served as Medical Officer for the Alberta Health Services North Zone from 2004 to July of 2020 and was based in Grande Prairie, prior to becoming Chief Medical Officer for Interior Health in August of 2020.

Interior Health said it will have more information on Wednesday.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, de Villiers has been a high-profile figure, fronting the COVID-19 response in the community.

Shortly after he was hired by IH, de Villiers spoke to CFJC Today of the need to build public trust in health officials.