More charges laid against Markus Hicks

WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT

Additional charges have been laid against 32-year-old Markus Hicks of Paradise.

Four new survivors have come forward resulting in 29 additional charges. Hicks has been charged with five counts of sexual assault, five counts of disguise with intent, kidnapping, sexual assault with choking, two counts of accessing child pornography, two counts of breach of trust, four counts of making sexually explicit material available to a child, four counts of luring a child, four counts of arranging to commit a sexual offence against a child, and householder permitting prohibited sexual activity.

Hicks now faces 92 charges involving 14 survivors following an investigation that began on August 23 when the RNC received information related to the use of fictitious identities, social media applications, and concealment to arrange sexual acts.

The accused remains in custody awaiting a court appearance.

Anyone experiencing anxiety or crisis as a result of this information, please contact the Mental Health Crisis Line at 8-1-1. In addition, the RNC Mental Health Mobile Crisis Response Team will respond to a crisis where and when it occurs, and can be contacted at 709-729-8000. In the event of an emergency always call 9-1-1.