Former Calgary teacher accused of sexually assaulting students nearly 20 years ago

A former Calgary junior high school teacher has been charged with numerous sexual offences against students nearly 20 years ago.

Michael Andreassen Gregory, 57, is charged with six counts of sexual assault and 11 counts of sexual exploitation in connection with incidents alleged to have happenedwhile he taught at John Ware Junior High School in southwest Calgary, police said in a release Thursday.

Gregory, who now lives in De Winton, south of the city, was a teacher at the school from August 1986 until September 2006.

A woman reported to police in September last year that in the summer of 2001, Gregory had undressed her and other female students during a canoe trip that was not sanctioned by the school, exposing them to him and their peers, the release said.

In a subsequent investigation, detectives in the sex crimes unit identified five other women who also report having been involved sexually with the same teacher between the years of 1999 and 2005.

"It is believed that the teacher used his position of trust to groom female students and get them into situations where a range of sexual activities could occur, both with and without agreement from the students," the release said.

"Young people cannot give free and informed consent for any sexual activity with a person in a position of trust and authority over them, regardless of whether they say they agree to it or not."

The investigation continues and anyone with information is asked to call the police non-emergency number at 403-266-1234 or to contact Crime Stoppers.