Former Roughriders player Messam facing another voyeurism charge

The incident alleged in the Saskatchewan charge against Jerome Messam predates the voyeurism incident for which he was convicted in Alberta.

Published Aug 11, 2023 • Last updated 3 hours ago • 2 minute read

Former Saskatchewan Roughriders running back #33 Jerome Messam is seen here in this July 5, 2018 file photo being brought down by Hamilton Tiger-Cats #35 Mike Daly during CFL game at Mosaic Stadium. He was released by the team the same month after being charged with voyeurism in Alberta. He now faces a similar charge in Saskatchewan. Photo by BRANDON HARDER /Regina Leader-Post

An Alberta voyeurism charge, to which he later pleaded guilty, ended the professional football career of Jerome Messam. Now the former Saskatchewan Roughriders running back faces another such charge, this time in Saskatchewan.

He stands charged that on or about Nov. 1, 2014, at or near Regina, he secretly made a visual recording of a person who was in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable expectation of privacy, which was done “for a sexual purpose.”

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Details regarding the circumstances of the charge were not read into the record, as Messam’s matter was spoken to briefly Thursday morning in Regina Provincial Court, where it has been slowly progressing since late 2022, shortly after a Calgary judge sentenced him for voyeurism there.

The incident alleged in the charge brought against the former running back in Saskatchewan predates the Nov. 11, 2016 incident for which he was convicted in Alberta.

At the time of the alleged 2014 incident, he was on the Saskatchewan roster, having signed with the team in July of that year. He was subsequently traded to the Calgary Stampeders in Oct. 2015.

He played in Calgary through the 2017 season and then returned to Saskatchewan in early 2018, where he played until he was released in July of that year following his initial voyeurism charge in Alberta.

Jerome Messam leaves Mosaic Stadium on July 30, 2018 after being released by the Saskatchewan Roughriders, one day after being charged with voyeurism. Photo by TROY FLEECE /Regina Leader-Post

In that case, an agreed statement of facts laid out how Messam — a Stampeder at the time — had met a woman for dinner in Calgary before returning with her to his home where they had consensual sex.

However, Messam had recorded video footage of the encounter, unbeknownst to the woman, and some months later sent her clips of this recording.

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He pleaded guilty to that offence and his lawyer argued in favour of a conditional discharge, which would’ve saved him from sustaining a criminal record. The loss of a football career and the media coverage were punishment enough, the defence lawyer submitted, telling the judge that a criminal record could impact Messam’s ability to work.

However, the judge gave Messam a suspended sentence and 18 months probation, which was accompanied by a criminal record entry for the conviction, noting that a conditional discharge would have sent the wrong message.

The criminal saga ended a distinguished football career for the Ontario-born running back, who won the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian award twice.

The charge he currently faces in Saskatchewan has not been proven in court.

He was previously released on conditions that he: keep the peace and be of good behaviour, attend court when required, provide the court with his address and contact information, have no contact with a listed individual whose relation to the matter is not explicitly stated, not refer to that individual on social media and not be at her place of residence, work or education.

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— with files from the Calgary Herald