RCMP officer faces 6 criminal charges

Linda Nguyen, Vancouver Sun

An RCMP constable has been charged with six criminal offences in connection with a continuing child pornography investigation. Const. Khomphet (Kam) Khamphoune, 33, was charged at Richmond provincial court after a “lengthy investigation” dating from January, said RCMP Cpl. Peter Thiessen.

Thiessen said although he cannot comment much about the case, he confirmed the charges are in connection with the pornography investigation. Khamphoune, an East Vancouver resident who has been an RCMP officer for six years, has been suspended from work with pay since the beginning of the investigation.

Khamphoune faces charges of possessing stolen property under $5,000, possessing a firearm not registered to him, possessing prohibited ammunition, illegal storage of a firearm, tampering with evidence and breach of trust.

He is continuing to be investigated by the courts for links to child pornography.

“The Crown has the investigation package and it is their choice whether [child pornography] charges are appropriate,” he said. In 2004, Khamphoune was cleared of two disgraceful conduct charges by an RCMP disciplinary board after a 16-year-old West Vancouver girl alleged he offered her money in exchange for sexual favours when she was 15. The girl had alleged the constable, who was with the North Vancouver detachment at the time, tried to buy oral sex and touched her in the breast area after she was arrested for shoplifting. She also alleged the constable offered her marijuana.

RCMP Supt. John Reid, who was on the three-panel board, said at the conclusion of the hearing that the constable’s actions were “professional .

. . [and] if anything, his unbridled enthusiasm made him vulnerable to this kind of situation.” At the time, he was also suspended from work with pay. Reid also called the girl “an out-of-control young lady who thinks she can do what she wants without any consequences.” Phone calls to Khamphoune residence Friday were not returned.

The officer’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 5.