Arrest Made in Historical Sexual Assault

Port Colborne – Detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) Sexual Assault Unit (SAU) have made an arrest in a historical Sexual Assault incident that took place between 2002 and 2003.

In November of 2025, the SAU became involved in an investigation into allegations against a male involving incidents that took place between 2002 and 2003.  The male, who was an adult at the time, worked as a leader in an after-school program in Port Colborne.  The female victim was a youth at the time of the incidents.

On December 18, 2025, as a result of the investigation, 41-year-old Joseph F. CRAWFORD of Port Colborne was arrested and charged with the following offences.

• 3 counts of Sexual Assault
• 3 counts of Sexual Interference
• 1 count of Forcible Confinement

CRAWFORD remains in custody and is scheduled to attend a bail hearing December 19, 2025, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in St. Catharines.

Detectives believe that there may be more victims and are asking for anyone with information related to this incident, or believe that they are a victim, to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009336.

Members of the community who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477(TIPS). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to people who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.

NRPS Incident 25-134338