file photo from Capitol Theatre and Arts Centre
Antonio Sarmiento who is the Artistic and Creative Consultant for the town of Cobourg is facing several criminal charges including sexual assault and sexual exploitation.
Members of the Port Hope Police Criminal Investigations Branch arrested Sarmiento on his way to work at Victoria Hall in Cobourg on Thursday, September 12,, 2019.
Sarmiento (age 49) (Carolos Eduardo Sarmiento) is accused of seven counts of sexual assault and three counts of sexual exploitation.
Port Hope Police said the investigation was commenced after a complaint that was filed with Sexual Assault Investigators in August 2019.
The allegations date back to 2017 and 2018 when Sarmiento was Artistic Director and General Manager of the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope. Sarmiento had been in that position for five years until his resignation on December 31, 2018.
“Investigators allege there were several encounters of a sexual nature with the same victim during the 2017 and 2018 calender year,” states the release.
In a press release announcing his resignation from the Capitol Theatre in 2018, Capitol President and Board Chair Olga Cwiek said Sarmiento had “remarkable leadership and innovation.”
“The curtain has now come down on a very special era – the Antonio Sarmiento era – in the long history of this historic venue, an era of achievement and progress and for that, we thank Antonio and wish him well,” stated Cwiek.
In the press release issued by the town of Cobourg when Sarmiento was hired, it stated he had over 20 years experience in similar roles across a variety of national and international theatre and performing arts centres.
Dean Hustwick who is Director of Community Services for Cobourg said at the time of Sarmiento’s hiring that “Sarmiento has been a cultural and artistic leader in this area for many years and has had many great achievements throughout his career.”
Included in his achievements, Steven Spielberg’s Shoah Foundation as the Head of Production, received a number of awards and accolades for his achievements from the Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce and the Business Achievement Awards.
Sarmiento holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre/Fine Arts from Fordham University at Lincoln Center in New York and is also a graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy & College, the Hollywood Film Institute and the Disney Institute.
Sarmiento was charged and released with a court date in October.
Port Hope Police are continuing the investigation and asking if anyone has information to call Port Hope Police Criminal Investigation Unit at 905-885-8123 ext 222.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
