University of Manitoba music prof charged in historical sexual assault of teen student
Winnipeg police said on Friday the 15-year-old girl received classes from the then-37-year-old professor between Dec. 17, 2007 and March 11, 2010.
Grooming of the teen began during the lessons and sexual assaults happened off campus, police said.
The girl ended the relationship and the professor tried to reinitiate contact by repeatedly emailing her, police said.
The girl has since moved away from Winnipeg. She reported the incident in February to police in another jurisdiction, who contacted Winnipeg investigators.
The Manitoba Prosecution Service authorized charges of sexual assault and sexual exploitation, police said.
Oleg Pokhanovski, 55, turned himself in at the Winnipeg police headquarters on July 29. He was arrested and detained in custody, police said.
"At this time the investigation is concluded. However, if new information was brought forward it would be investigated," said police spokesperson Const. Pat Saydak.
The University of Manitoba said it's aware of the charges and cooperating with the Winnipeg police.
"We take this matter very seriously," a spokesperson told CBC news on Friday.
While the university can provide only limited information on Pokhanovski's employment situation citing privacy legislation, the spokesperson confirmed the professor is on leave and he will not be attending campus, performing any university activities or contacting members of the institution.
Pokhanovski's U of M online staff biography describes him as an "accomplished virtuosic violinist, pianist, arranger, and music educator" and "in-demand adjudicator at music festivals all across Canada."
Anyone who might wish to speak to an investigator can call the sex crimes unit at 204-986-6172.
For anyone who has been sexually assaulted, there is support available through crisis lines and local support services via the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Teens arrested for Brad Pitt burglary targeted other stars, say LA police
Four teenagers have been arrested over a burglary that left actor Brad Pitt's home ransacked, police said. The suspects are allegedly behind a number of "celebrity burglaries" that targeted the houses of actors and professional athletes, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said. He said the male suspects, two 18-year-olds, a 17-year-old and a 16-year-old, are street gang members, and property stolen in the burglaries was found when police searched their homes. Police did not name those whose properties were targeted, but celebrities including Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, LA Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto and ex-LA Football Club striker Olivier Giroud have reported break-ins this year. The investigation started in late June after Pitt's home was raided by a trio of masked thieves. McDonnell said the group hopped a perimeter fence surrounding the Los Feliz home and shattered a window, hopping inside and taking items before fleeing. Police did not confirm the home belonged to the Oscar-winning actor, but the address matched that of a property Pitt bought in 2023. The large three-bedroom house sits just outside Griffith Park, where the famous Hollywood Sign sits. It is surrounded by a fence and greenery that shields the property from public view. Pitt was not home at the time of the burglary and was promoting his new film, F1. The BBC has contacted representatives for the actor. McDonnell said investigators found the suspects were part of a crew that "were burglarizing various high-profile residents throughout the city", which he said included homes of "actors and professional athletes". Last week, authorities followed the four suspects and were able to arrest them on burglary charges, he added. Police did not elaborate on what items were recovered after police searched their homes. McDonnell said burglars like this group had become increasingly smart in their crimes - planting surveillance cameras in nearby flowerbeds or across the street from homes they target to monitor a victim's routine. He said thieves had also been using wi-fi jammers to knock out home surveillance systems and cameras that could alert homeowners or police of a break-in. He noted that celebrities and athletes can be easier targets since their appearances and games are publicised online. He noted, though, that anyone posting on social media about their travels can unknowingly be alerting a potential thief to their location. "We don't really give enough thought to... [while] we want our friends to know where we are and what we're doing, you're telling everybody else then who may be looking to exploit your situation," McDonnell said. Brad Pitt's Los Angeles home 'ransacked', police say Man charged with stalking Jennifer Aniston Brad Pitt hails Silverstone as F1 hits cinemas


CBS News
18 minutes ago
- CBS News
LAPD arrests suspect who allegedly beat a man outside Sikh Gurdwara
Los Angeles police arrested a homeless man for allegedly beating an elderly man near the Sikh Gurdwara in North Hollywood, according to Chief Jim McDonnell. After using surveillance footage to locate the suspect, the Los Angeles Police Department arrested Bo Richard Vitagliano, 44, for assault with a deadly weapon. He's being held on a $1.2 million bail. McDonnell described Vitagliano as an unhoused man with an extensive criminal record for assault with a deadly weapon, narcotics and several weapons charges. Vitagliano allegedly attacked 70-year-old Harpal Singh outside the North Hollywood house of worship on Aug. 4. Witnesses told investigators that they saw the two men swinging metal objects at each other. Vitagliano continued to beat Singh after the 70-year-old fell to the ground and rode away on his bicycle before officers arrived, according to police. Officers arrested Vitagliano a week later, less than a mile away from the Sikh Gurdwara. Detectives believe the assault began after a dispute over Singh's property. They are not investigating the attack as a hate crime. "Based on the evidence in this matter, North Hollywood detectives believe the assault was not a hate crime," McDonnell said. Singh suffered a skull fracture and potential brain trauma, according to LAPD. Singh has had several surgeries and remains unconscious at the hospital, according to his family. "I am grateful to hear that the police have arrested a suspect for the horrific assault of my brother, but we need to better understand this attack and why it is not being considered a hate crime," said Dr. Gurdial Singh Randhawa, Singh's brother. "Justice must be served, and our local Sikh community must know that the area around our gurdwara—where we gather to worship, learn, connect, eat, and serve others—is safe for all." LAPD added extra patrols in the area following the beating.


Fox News
18 minutes ago
- Fox News
National Guard troops spotted in Washington D.C. as Trump launches crackdown on street crime
National Guard troops were spotted in Washington D.C. on Tuesday amid President Donald Trump's crackdown on crime in the capital. On Tuesday, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser met with federal officials to discuss coordination and strategy for the federal law enforcement presence. "What I'm focused on is the federal surge and how to make the most of the additional officer support that we have," she told reporters, FOX D.C. reported. "We have the best in the business in MPD Chief Pamela Smith to lead that effort and to make sure that the men and women who are coming from federal law enforcement are being well-used and that if there's National Guard here they're being well-used." National Guard troops were seen leaving the D.C. Armory on Tuesday morning. Video footage captured military vehicles stationed on a street as pedestrians walked by. It wasn't immediately clear how many troops were in the city or what role they would play. Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House and the District of Columbia National Guard. The presence of troops and federal law enforcement came amid the Trump administration's plan to combat crime in the city. The District of Columbia's Home Rule Act allows Trump to place the Metropolitan Police Department under federal control for up to 30 days. Trump invoked the law on Monday. On the first day of the crackdown, federal and local authorities made 23 arrests, including suspects wanted for murder, gun offenses and other crimes. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said some of those arrested had charges for homicide, weapons violations, lewd acts, and stalking. Six illegal firearms were also seized, she added. "These are just a few examples — we are just getting started. Federal partners joined local police and arrested 23 in total," FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X. "When you let good cops be cops they can clean up our streets and do it fast. More to come. Your nation's Capital WILL be safe again." Regarding Trump's authority, Bowser said her hands were tied, leaving her administration with no choice but to comply and adapt.