Gatineau police are appealing to the public for assistance following the arrest and charging of a 27-year-old Ottawa man in connection with a sexual assault investigation. Authorities express concern that there may be additional victims who have not yet contacted law enforcement.
Charges and Arrest Details
Lenny Owen Mudugu, aged 27 and from Ottawa, was arrested on January 13, 2025. He now faces charges of sexual assault among other related offences. Following his arrest, Mudugu was released from custody under a set of strict conditions. These conditions explicitly prohibit him from being in any public park or in the presence of any minors.
Search for Potential Victims
In a public statement, the Gatineau Police Service indicated they have specific reasons to believe Mudugu may have targeted other individuals. "Investigators have reason to fear that (Lenny Owen Mudugu) may have other victims and that some are still hesitant to come forward," police stated in a news release.
Police have gathered information suggesting the alleged victims are teenagers, likely between the ages of 15 and 18. The investigation has revealed that the accused reportedly connected with these young individuals through popular social media platforms, specifically Snapchat and TikTok.
Provincial Coordination of the Case
Due to the identification of several alleged victims and the nature of the accusations, the case has been escalated to a higher level. The Serial Crime Investigation Management (SEIM) structure, which is coordinated by the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), has now been deployed to assist.
This provincial-level coordination is designed to pool specialized police resources from different agencies. "This provincial coordination allows for the pooling of police resources and aims to better protect victims," explained police officials. The move underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating this investigation.
According to the police timeline, the alleged in-person meetings between Mudugu and the victims occurred over a specific period: between November 7 and November 17, 2025. These encounters are said to have taken place at various undisclosed locations, as well as inside a silver-coloured vehicle.
The Gatineau Police Service is urging anyone with information related to this case, or who believes they may have been a victim, to contact their dedicated INFO line at 819-243-4636 and select option 5. All tips can be provided anonymously.
