by Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

NNSL (June 04 /97) - The Yellowknife man who was charged last week with running a poker room in a downtown hotel is also facing charges of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 14.

Wing Lee, known as Dr. Lee, was arrested following two police searches at his Gold Range Hotel residence on Thursday and Friday nights that uncovered handguns and what police are calling pornographic materials of young girls from Yellowknife and surrounding areas.

RCMP have seized about 1,000 videotapes, hundreds of photos of naked young girls, as well as 14 handguns and enough ammunition to fill a half-ton truck.

Staff Sgt. Dave Grundy said police conducted interviews after the search and seizure to identify people in the pictures.

The sexual assault is alleged to have taken place between July 1 and Dec. 31, 1996.

The 14 handguns seized are likely the most ever taken at once by police in Yellowknife, said Grundy. Several guns were registered to Lee, several to people in other areas of Canada and three weren't registered at all.

"It's very serious to carry a handgun that's not registered," said Grundy.

What police say was a three-month investigation into a gambling ring has now turned into a major investigation that may result in more sex-related charges.

"When you look at the criminal code, gambling is the least serious crime, but the gambling and sexual charges are another realm of crime," Grundy said. "It's really mushroomed into a major investigation."

Four other men -- aged 47 to 60 -- found in the gaming room on Thursday night have also been charged under Criminal Code gaming laws. They have not been linked with the sexual offenses.

Lee, who's been living in Yellowknife for about 30 years, is reported to have been running the "Five Aces Social Club" for about 20 years. Many politicians, business owners and elders are said to have gambled at the poker club over the years.

The accused was released from RCMP custody late Friday night and is scheduled to appear in territorial court July 22.