Police charge male with sexual assault, sexual interference

Lethbridge Police have charged a 57-year-old male in connection with an incident where a 14-year-old girl was picked up downtown, driven to a residence and sexually assaulted. 

In late April, police responded to a report that a 14-year-old girl had been sexually assaulted by an unknown adult male. Investigation determined on April 21 the girl had been in the area of the 300 block of 3 Street South when she was approached by a male in a vehicle around 9:30 p.m. Video surveillance showed the male interacting with the girl before she entered his vehicle. The girl was driven to a southside residence where she was sexually assaulted, then the subject drove her back to the same area downtown where he had picked her up.

Police later identified the male and he was arrested May 12 without incident. 

Macebo Arthur Mokwena, 57, of Lethbridge, is charged with sexual interference, invite sexual touching and sexual assault of a person under 16. Following a Judicial Interim Release hearing, Mokwena was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in court today.

The investigation is ongoing, and there are indications the subject may have targeted other vulnerable victims. A photo of Mokwena and the vehicle he has been driving, which he does not own and has been borrowing from an acquaintance, are being released as part of the investigation in an effort to encourage unidentified victims to come forward. 

The vehicle is described as a red, 2004 Chevrolet Impala with a black midline stripe along the sides. The vehicle has hubcaps on the passenger side, but none on the driver’s side. 

Anyone who has been victimized or has information that could assist investigators, is asked to call police at 403-328-4444 and reference file 25007040. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at www.p3tips.com or by calling 1-800-222-8477.