A senior Edmonton army officer is facing several charges, including multiple counts of sexual assault, in connection with alleged offences that occurred while he was mentoring army cadets.

In a news release sent out Tuesday afternoon, the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service says the charges stem from alleged historical incidents that are said to have occurred between 1998 and 2007, when the officer was in a mentorship role at a local army cadet corps.

The charges include three counts of sexual assault, four counts of sexual exploitation, one count of invitation to sexual touching, and one count of breach of trust by a public officer.

“These are serious and significant charges under the Criminal Code of Canada,” Lt.-Col. Francis Bolduc, commanding officer of the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service, said in a written statement.

“Regardless of a member’s rank and role in the Canadian Armed Forces, the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service works diligently and independently from the Canadian Armed Forces chain of command to protect individuals from those who violate the law.”

The officer has been identified as Lt.-Col. Mason Stalker, 40, who is the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, in Edmonton.

Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to call the CFNIS Western Region tip line at 877-233-6066.