Keep him in jail

UPDATE 11:46 p.m.

Lori Nixon hopes justice will prevail.

The mother of 18-year-old Traci Genereaux, Nixon wants Curtis Sagmoen to stay behind bars.

The remains of Genereaux were found on a farm on Salmon River Road last year which is owned by Sagmoen's parents.

No connection between Sagmoen and Genereaux have been made by police.

However, Sagmoen is facing numerous charges for alleged acts of violence against women in the sex trade.

“I pray today that Curtis is refused bail and that justice removes its blinds and actually serves the public for once,” said Nixon in a statement to the media.

“I hope that we are able to save those whom yet have not come in contact with Curtis and that they never get the chance to.”

Nixon is not the only one rallying to keep Sagmoen behind bars.

Cindy and John Simpson, parents of Ashley Simpson who went missing more than a year ago, said in a statement they were appalled Sagmoen is up for bail.

“We find out he is being considered for bail and we find this disgusting and it adds insult to injury for our family. People cannot even imagine what the families of the murdered and missing women live with each and every day. It does not matter what a woman does for a living, no one has the right to hurt her or take her life away,” Simpson said.

Nicole Bell, Caitlin Potts and Deanna Wertz have also gone missing from the North Okanagan-Shuswap area.

Jane and Dennis Aubertin, Bell's parents, said in a statement they feel Sagmoen, based on media reports, is likely a threat to women in the area and should remain in custody.

Jody Leon is helping to organize a rally on the steps of the Vernon court house at 2 p.m. today, the same time Sagmoen is to appear before a judge who will rule on whether or not bail will be granted.

“People will be converging on the steps of the Vernon courthouse and what they want to state is they would like resolution for the remaining murdered and missing women, and resolution for Tracy Genereaux and they are calling for justice; they are calling for no violence against women,” said Leon.

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The man who has become a rallying point for violence against women protests may gain his freedom today – at least for a while.

Curtis Sagmoen is facing numerous charges in relation to alleged violent acts against women in the sex trade. 

He has been held in custody since his arrest in October 2017, but may be granted bail today. A trial date has not been set.

When Sagmoen appears in a Vernon courtroom, he will not be alone.

Once again, protesters are planning to rally on the steps of the Vernon courthouse at 2 p.m.

Jody Leon is helping to organize today's rally and she expects a strong turnout.

The rally will be in support of Tracy Genereaux, whose remains were found last year on a farm owned by Sagmoen's parents, but they will also be protesting violence against women.

Police are calling the death of Genereaux suspicious, but no connection to Sagmoen has been made.

“People will be converging on the steps of the Vernon courthouse and what they want to state is they would like resolution for the remaining murdered and missing women, and resolution for Tracy Genereaux and they are calling for justice; they are calling for no violence against women,” said Leon.

Ashlee Simpson, Deanna Wertz, Nicole Bell and Caitlin Potts all have gone missing from the North Okanagan-Shuswap area.

Despite not being convicted on any of the charges against him, Sagmoen has become a flashpoint for anti-violence protests.

“There have been charges against him that are from some of the most vulnerable women in the Vernon area,” said Leon. She added people want to uphold and support those women.

“People have not lost interest or lost focus that there are murdered and missing women that still need answers. Their families are grieving.”

Sagmoen timeline

• Arrested in early October 2017, Sagmoen faced six charges in connection with an Aug. 28 incident near Falkland where a sex worker alleges she was threatened with a gun before escaping. The charges include intentionally discharging a firearm and uttering threats.
• On Oct. 13, 2017, police issued a public appeal for any information on the man involved in the Aug. 28 incident.
• On Oct. 19, 2017, police launched a massive search of a farm on Salmon River Road near Silver Creek. The farm is owned by Sagmoen's parents.
• On Oct. 21, police confirm they found human remains at the farm.
• On Nov. 1, 2017, RCMP confirmed the remains on the farm were those of 18-year-old Tracy Genereaux, who went missing earlier in the year. Police are calling her death suspicious, but have not connected Sagmoen to Genereaux in any way.
• On Dec. 15, 2017, CTV news linked Sagmoen to an alleged violent incident from January 2013 at a townhouse in Maple Ridge. 
• On Jan. 31, 2018 Sagmoen faced new charges of assault causing bodily harm and assault with a weapon, stemming from an incident on Aug. 10, 2017, and assault stemming from an incident that occurred on or about July 1, 2017.

Sagmoen has been held in custody since his arrest and has had bail hearings postponed several times. He will appear in a Vernon courtroom today to see if he will be granted bail.