Alberta man charged with sex crimes was twice released from custody with conditions

GRANDE PRAIRIE – A man from northern Alberta has been charged with numerous offences, including sexual assault, involving four complainants as young as 12.

RCMP in Grande Prairie, northwest of Edmonton, said the charges against 32-year-old Joseph Kidd also include sexual interference, forcible confinement and abduction.

Supt. Mark MacDougald, commanding officer of the Grande Prairie RCMP, said there could be other complainants and encouraged them to come forward. Police also released a photo of the accused and his vehicle.

“Parents and guardians, please show the picture to your children and talk to them about safe use of social media,” he said at a news conference Thursday.

MacDougald said some of the alleged offences happened while the accused was under court-imposed conditions.

Kidd was first arrested in April, when a 14-year-old girl went to an RCMP detachment and reported that she had been at the man’s home for a week before she managed to escape.

Kidd picked up the girl from British Columbia after meeting her on social media, MacDougald said.

A judge released Kidd from custody on April 30 with several conditions. 

Less than two weeks later, Kidd allegedly drove to Lloydminster, a city straddling the boundary between Alberta and Saskatchewan, and picked up an 18-year-old woman..

RCMP said the woman reported that they drove to his home and the man assaulted her when she refused to have sex with him.

MacDougald didn’t say whether the woman is from Alberta or Saskatchewan, “to protect the integrity of the investigation and also to ensure we’re compliant with the court orders in place.”

Kidd was released again in June by a justice of the peace on several conditions and a $7,500 cash bail, RCMP said.

Weeks later, a 15-year-old girl went to the Grande Prairie detachment to report that Kidd had been following her around. She reported that a man offered her alcohol if she got into his vehicle, RCMP said.

MacDougald alleged that Kidd drove the girl to his home and sexually assaulted her. 

On the same day that the 15-year-old went to police, RCMP received a call from the mother of a 12-year-old girl. The mother said a man driving a yellow convertible Chevrolet Camaro tried to lure her child into his car.

“RCMP and the Grande Prairie Police Service responded immediately, completed immediate patrols and located Kidd driving the suspect vehicle,” MacDougald said. 

Kidd appeared in court earlier this week and was remanded into custody. He’s scheduled to appear in court July 2.

RCMP wouldn’t say whether authorities plan to increase surveillance of the accused if he’s released again.

MacDougald said decisions about release and conditions are not made by investigators. 

“Police present the information and evidence during the investigation, but ultimately decisions about release, detention and conditions are made through the court process,” he said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 25, 2026.

— By Daniela Germano in Edmonton