RCMP have charged a man from the Eskinuopitijk First Nation in a sexual assault alleged to have occurred over the weekend at a house that police were investigating last week.

RCMP in Neguac, N.B. said the alleged assault occurred Sunday at the First Nation commonly known as Burnt Church.

The 29-year-old suspect, whose name has not been released, was arrested Monday and transferred to the Tracadie-Sheila RCMP detachment. He was to remain there until an appearance in Miramichi provincial court for a bail hearing.

RCMP Insp. Roch Fortin said the alleged victim is a 17-year-old girl. No other details were released.

RCMP search house

The RCMP had officers and forensic investigators working Monday at the house on the Eskinuopitijk First Nation where the alleged sexual assault occurred. Police were at the same house as part of a criminal investigation last week.

Police would not comment on the nature of the earlier investigation or on evidence seized at the house. Nor would they connect the search to the disappearance of Hilary Bonnell, 16, who vanished from the northeastern community two months ago.