First Nation waiting for details on alleged assault

There is a sense of concern on the northern reserve of Pelican Lake after a case of alleged vigilante justice has come to light.

Francis Hernandez, 47, along with accomplices, allegedly tied down two teens, soaked them with water and then attached battery booster cables to their genitals, said crown prosecutor Mitch Piche, in an interview with the CBC.

The accused had lured the victims to a reserve car wash to seek retribution for a break-in at his home that he believed the teens were responsible for, Piche also said, during that interview.

The allegations are concerning to people on the reserve, but Darren Thompson, operations manager of the Pelican Lake First Nation’s outfitting division, said people are staying away from the rumor mill.

“Most small communities it would just be gossip, gossip, gossip. When I talk to people they are kind of staying neutral because they don't want to listen to the gossip, they want the facts,” he said.

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“Too be honest, I was shocked at how I'm not hearing things. I think the people of the reserve have done a very good job at managing their feelings and their words”

The allegations are disturbing, however people just want the truth to come out, Thompson said.

“Nobody here wants to jump to any conclusions we want to let the police do their work, we want to allow the investigation to happen and just let things unfold,” Thomson said.

It's for that reason prosecutor Piche is now reluctant to talk about the case.

“We're at the pre-trial stage here and when that arises if too much detail goes out into the public about what are basically unsubstantiated manners at this point. There is a concern that the trial may be prejudice down the road.”

The crown may end up applying for a publication ban at an upcoming bail hearing, Piche said.

“There might be evidence that you use at a bail hearing that might not be admissible at the trial,” he said.

This story is out of character for the community that is normally an upbeat, positive place to live, said Thompson.

Hernandez has a scheduled bail hearing for Apr. 20 in North Battleford. Among the charges are assault and sexual assault with a weapon, uttering threats and unlawful confinement.

His co-accused Larry Lee Thomas, 27, is facing similar charges with his bail hearing is set for Friday in North Battleford.

The RCMP have charged a third man, Manon Boisvert, with unlawful confinement and he will go before a judge in Spiritwood on Apr. 26.

bbosker@panow.com