By Andrew Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A 21-year-old from Grand Manan is facing a trial in November on charges of sexual assault and sexual interference against a minor.
Drake Alex Daggett, of Hill Road, appeared Tuesday last week in Saint John provincial court and entered not guilty pleas on each of the charges.
He is accused of touching a minor and invitation to touching for a sexual purpose dating from Aug. 1, 2024, to March 1, 2025, and then from March 1, 2025, to June 30, 2025, as well as sexual assault against a person under 16 from June 1 to June 30, 2025, all on Grand Manan. Daggett is also charged with breach of a no-contact order and sexual assault dating between January 1 and 17 this year.
Brunswick News is withholding any information that would identify the complainant subject to a publication ban.
RCMP Sgt. Geoffrey Peters said Monday this week that the investigation began in September 2025 based on a complaint from the public regarding an alleged sexual relationship with a young person. Court files indicate that Daggett made his first appearance Dec. 17, and was released on an undertaking.
Peters said that in January police received reports of additional alleged offences involving the same individual and breach of a no-contact order.
In court last week, Daggett’s lawyer Reid Chedore said they had reviewed disclosure and were ready to choose a trial in provincial court.
Daggett, who was in the gallery along with a number of supporters, entered his pleas of not guilty to each charge and was scheduled for trial Nov. 12 and 13.
He is on house arrest at a family member’s residence, and asked for the release conditions to be varied to allow two other family residences.
