**** RCMP Media Release
RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment charges man with firearms offences
RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment has charged a man with firearms offences following an altercation on Hwy. 7 in Cole Harbour.
On July 10, at approximately 7 p.m., RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment responded to a report of an altercation between two drivers on Hwy. 7. Through the investigation, officers determined that, during the altercation, a man who was driving a black Cadillac pointed a firearm at the other driver.
The driver of the Cadillac was identified a short time later and RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment, with assistance of Halifax Regional Police, the RCMP Emergency Response Team and RCMP Police Dog Services, subsequently executed a search warrant at a home on Karen Dr. in Westphal.
At the residence, officers safely arrested the man involved in the altercation and seized three replica handguns, holsters, and prohibited weapons such as brass knuckles and knifes.
Matthew Steven Jennett, 28, of Westphal, has been charged with:
- Uttering Threats (two counts)
- Using Imitation Firearm in the Commission of Offence (two counts)
- Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
He was held in custody and is scheduled to appear in Dartmouth Provincial Court today.
The investigation is ongoing and is being led by RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment. Anyone with information on the incident on Hwy. 7 is asked to contact police at 902-490-5020. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.
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**** SiRT Release
The SiRT Charges RCMP Officer with Sexual Assault and Other Related Offences
The Director of the Serious Incident Response Team has reasonable and probable grounds to believe that an off-duty RCMP officer committed a criminal offence.
On January 11, 2024, the RCMP contacted the SiRT after a woman alleged she had been sexually assaulted by one of their officers in 2023. The woman and the officer are known to each other. The SiRT began an investigation into the matter that day and as a result, on July 11, 2024, Constable William McNutt was charged with 3 counts of sexual assault contrary to s. 271 of the Criminal Code, 1 count of overcoming resistance to commission of an offence, contrary to section 246(a) of the Criminal Code, and 1 count of uttering threats, contrary to section 264.1(1) of the Criminal Code.
Constable McNutt will appear before the Nova Scotia Provincial Court at 5 Mill Village Road, Shubenacadie, NS, on September 9, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
The SiRT is responsible for investigating all matters that involve death, serious injury, sexual assault and intimate partner violence or other matters of public interest that may have arisen from the actions of any police officer in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Investigations are under the direction and control of an independent civilian director, who has the sole authority to determine if charges should be laid at the conclusion of an investigation.
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**** RCMP Media Release
Statement from Assistant Commissioner Dennis Daley, Commanding Officer of the Nova Scotia RCMP, in response to RCMP member charged with Sexual Assault
In January the Nova Scotia RCMP referred allegations of sexual misconduct made against Cst. William McNutt, 39, to the Nova Scotia Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT). He was posted to East Hants District RCMP at the time. In January, he was suspended from his duties.
As a result of SiRT’s independent investigation, Cst. McNutt has been charged with Sexual Assault, Overcoming Resistance to Commission of Offence and Uttering Threats. He is scheduled to appear in Shubenacadie Provincial Court on September 9.
The RCMP takes all allegations of misconduct seriously; our employees are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that not only meets, but exceeds, the rightfully high expectations of Canadians. These criminal charges are disturbing and Cst. McNutt, who’s been an RCMP member for just over two years, remains suspended from duty. An internal code of conduct process has also been initiated.
