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Area man charged with sexual assault of newly arrived Iranian women

Victims reported they met an Iranian pastor online, and accepted his offer of assistance in coming to Canada, and a place to live when they arrived
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Saeid Rezaei is charged in two sexual assaults.

A Newmarket man who identified himself as a pastor at a Richmond Hill church has been charged in the historic sexual assaults of two women.

A female victim said she had met a man online, and she accepted his offer of assistance in coming to Canada from Iran and with housing when she arrived, York Regional Police said in a news release. 

The 42-year-old woman told police she was sexually assaulted while living in the man's residence Sept. 10 and Nov. 10, 2022, police said.

York Regional Police began investigating in January of this year, and determined there was a second victim, a 40-year-old woman from Richmond Hill, who reported being assaulted under similar circumstances between Sept. 1, 2019 and Aug. 15, 2020. 

Saeid Rezaei, 42, of Newmarket is now charged with two counts each of sexual assault, obtaining sexual services for consideration, and uttering threats. 

Rezaei identifies himself as an Iranian pastor and was previously associated with a church in Richmond Hill, police said. 

Police have released his image and urge any additional victims or witnesses to come forward. 

Anyone with information in relation to this investigation is asked to contact the York Regional Police Special Victims Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7071, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-tips, or leave an anonymous tip online.



Elizabeth Keith

About the Author: Elizabeth Keith

Elizabeth Keith is a general assignment reporter. She graduated from Carleton University with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2017. Elizabeth is passionate about telling local stories and creating community.
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