3 charged in connection with allegations of sexual assault, forcible confinement: Port Hope police

By West Northumberland Independent staff

Port Hope police say they’ve made three arrests in connection with allegations of sexual assault and forcible confinement involving a female victim.

According to the Port Hope Police Service, on Oct. 27, 2026, police responded to “a disturbance” in the area of Phillips Road in Port Hope.

“An investigation resulted in three individuals being arrested and charged in connection with allegations of sexual assault and forcible confinement involving a female victim,” said police.

Police said the investigation was led by the service’s criminal investigations branch, with help from the Cobourg Police Service.

As a result of the investigation, police said Jean Paul Vachon, 49, of Bowmanville, was charged with three counts of sexual assault, forcible confinement, aggravated assault, overcoming resistance by administering or attempting to administer a drug, and three counts of possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine.

Police also said Natasha Fisher, 32, of Port Hope, was charged with forcible confinement​​​​​​​, sexual assault, and assault with a weapon.

Finally, Erich Braun, 30, of Port Hope, was also charged with forcible confinement and sexual assault, reported police.

None of these charges have been proven in court.

During the investigation, officers also allege they seized about 11 grams of suspected fentanyl, 4.7 grams of crack cocaine and two grams of powder cocaine, along with items consistent with drug-trafficking.

Search warrants were subsequently executed at residences in Port Hope and Bowmanville as part of the probe, reported police, adding the accused were initially held for bail hearings and subsequently remanded into custody.

The investigation remains ongoing, noted police.

No other details were released by police at the Independent’s press deadline.