A 56-year-old man has been charged with sexual assault in connection with incidents between September 2021 and January 2023.
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service began investigating complaints on Dec. 15, 2022.
"Through the investigation, officers developed grounds to believe the accused victimized five people by assaulting them and striking them for a sexual purpose," a release from police says. "None of the victims suffered physical injuries that required medical treatment."
The victims were students at Algoma University.
The accused was employed by the University from 2008 to 2023 as a part-time contract professor in the Computer Sciences program.
Michael Lajoie has been charged with sexual assault with a weapon (x2) and assault (x5) and was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
Anyone with information about the incidents, or other incidents of the same nature, are asked to contact Detective Sergeant Joe Addison at (705) 949-6300 ext. 387.
Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at (705) 942-7867 or 1-800-222-8477. You can also click here to submit tip online or download the P3 app.
Algoma University has issued a statement on the arrest and charges.
The statement follows:
Earlier today, Sault Ste. Marie Police Services informed the University that, as the result of a recent investigation, criminal charges have been laid against a part-time faculty member from the Department of Computer Science at Algoma University. The individual charged, professor Michael Lajoie, is currently suspended from all duties and is prohibited from visiting campus or contact with students. Given the case is being addressed through the criminal justice system, the University will not issue any further statement at this time.
The University is working directly with those impacted to ensure appropriate support is available and are making those support services available to any faculty, staff or students who require them.