Paul Leroux, 57, was arrested in Vancouver last week and brought to Inuvik, where he is scheduled to appear in court July 7 to answer 32 charges of sexual assault involving 15 victims. Most of the alleged victims were boys between 14 and 18 years old, and all were residents of Grollier, according to RCMP Sgt. Tom Steggles of Yellowknife community policing.

Inuvik RCMP launched their investigation in January, after a former Grollier resident complained to them about Leroux.

On April 2, Vancouver police searched Leroux's Vancouver home on the RCMP's behalf. While looking for evidence linked to the Grollier investigation, police found "one of the largest seizures of (child pornography) ever made" in Vancouver, according to Const. Anne Drennan, media liaison officer for Vancouver city police.

Hundreds of videotapes, magazines and photos were seized by police, along with Leroux's diaries. Police also accessed his Internet account to look for related materials, said Drennan.

Leroux was arrested eight days later and charged with possession of child pornography. He appeared in B.C. provincial court April 25.

Meanwhile, Northern RCMP stepped up their role in the case, launching one of the largest investigations in recent memory.

Twenty-five officers in 17 detachments across the NWT have conducted as many as 220 interviews of former residents, and police hope to complete another 150 before Leroux's July 7 court date. They would provide a list of communities where the interviews took place.

Despite not having completed the investigation, RCMP decided to arrest Leroux now. According to Steggles, "the investigation had gained gravity, and (Leroux) had become more of a flight risk."

Leroux left Inuvik 18 years ago for Vancouver, where he worked for 15 years as an investigator for the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

While in Inuvik, Leroux was an active member of the community, serving as a justice of the peace for 12 years, a judge in family juvenile court, president of the Inuvik Soccer Association, treasurer of the NWT Ski Team, a hockey and soccer coach and a Big Brother.

Leroux was charged and convicted in 1979 for sexual assault in Inuvik. He served four months for that charge but was later pardoned and criminal record cleared, Steggles said.

Prior to moving to Inuvik in 1967, Leroux worked for seven years in Beauval, Sask., as supervisor of a youth hostel.

While investigating this case, police also heard allegations that several other Inuvik residents were involved in sexual offences, though none relating to Leroux's case. Once the RCMP completes the Leroux investigation, police will then focus on the other suspects, which Steggles said number "more than one."