Yellowknife woman pleads guilty to sexual assault of minor, trial of co-defendant continues

WARNING: This article contains details of sexual abuse and may affect those who have experienced sexual violence or know someone who has.

On Tuesday, the trial began against two Yellowknife residents accused of sexually abusing an underage girl. At the time of the incident, Alicia Moran was 30, John Robson was 60 and the alleged victim was 15 years old.

Moran pleaded guilty in court Tuesday afternoon to selling sex to a person under the age of 18.

According to the agreed statement of facts, Moran contacted Robson on July 27, 2022, and offered to have sex with the teenager in exchange for money. Robson agreed and took the underage girl, who Moran knew personally, with him.

Moran received $100 as a “finder's fee,” after which Robson took the girl to a house in Yellowknife where he was house-sitting. There, he allegedly sexually abused the teenage victim and later gave her $200.

This was supported by numerous pieces of evidence, including images of the accused's text messages and video footage of Robson's vehicle obtained by the RCMP.

Both Moran and Robson claimed they did not know the victim's age at the time.

The defense had proposed a two-year prison sentence for Moran, but the prosecution opposed that. Sentencing will be decided at a later date. The charge to which she pleaded guilty carries a minimum sentence of two years and a maximum of 14 years.

Robson's trial before a single judge on two counts of sexual assault and two counts of forcing sexual intercourse on a person under 18 continued in the afternoon and included testimony from the lead investigator of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Moran.

Moran said she preferred not to have Robson in her line of sight, so a screen was put up to block her view of him.

Moran, a widow with three children, said she was in desperate need of money to buy crack cocaine when she arranged for Robson to have sex with the teenager. She had a previous relationship with Robson and from time to time offered him sexual services in exchange for money.

Moran also claimed that she never spoke to the victim about her age, her school years or her family. She only learned her age during the police interrogation.

Maria Alejandra Velásquez Restrepo, the lead RCMP investigator in the case, said she recorded two video statements from the victim on August 2 and 4, 2022, in which the victim spoke about the alleged crime and gave details about the home where it occurred.

Prosecutor Adam Karbani said the trial would continue on Wednesday and the victim's testimony would be included.

Although the trial was scheduled to last nine days, Karbani expects it to be completed by Friday.

There is support available for anyone who has been sexually abused. You can contact crisis lines and local support services through this website. Canadian Government website or the Database of the Ending Violence Association of Canada. If you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety or the safety of others around you, please call 911.