Coquiltam ‘church youth therapist’ charged with sex assault

COQUITLAM (NEWS 1130) — A 75-year-old Coquitlam man linked to multiple churches has been charged with six counts of historical sexual assault, some involving teenage boys.

The charges against Raymond Howard Gaglardi are related to incidents alleged to have occurred between 1993 and 2007 and involve three teenage boys and a young man, according to Coquitlam RCMP.

Gaglardi has been charged with four counts of sexual assault and two counts of sexual exploitation.

Mounties are now asking any other potential victims to come forward.

Coquitlam RCMP began the investigation into Gaglardi in December 2019, adding he has been associated with churches in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam, including Hillside Community Church, Austin Avenue Chapel, and Evergreen Evangelical.

Police said Gaglardi — who also went by the name ‘Doctor Ray Gaglardi’ — offered therapy sessions at his Coquitlam home to young people he met mainly through their parents at church.

THIS JUST IN: @cqrcmp say a #CoquitlamBC man is facing a number of sex assault-related charges tied to "historical sex abuse allegations." Mounties believe there may be other victims of the accused – Raymond Howard Gaglardi – who still need to come forward. pic.twitter.com/H44zhNqfDT

— Ria Renouf ???? (@riarenouf) July 14, 2020

 

“It takes tremendous courage for adult men to come forward about abuse that happened when they were young,” Cpl. Michael McLaughlin says in a release.

“In order to further this investigation, and protect any future victims, it’s important that we speak to others who may have been keeping this difficult secret.”

Gaglardi is described as Caucasian, slim, with grey hair that may have been dyed brown. He is 165 cm (5’5”) tall and weighs about 70 kg (154 lbs).

“Church leaders have done everything they can to help police and make sure their parishioners are safe,” says McLaughlin. “As we expand the investigation, we must remind people that the timeframe, locations, and gender of the victims may also expand.”

Gaglardi has been released with conditions:

• not to be alone with anyone under 18 unless he is in public;
• not to be alone with anyone under 18 unless that person’s parents are aware of these charges.

Anyone with information about the allegations involving Gaglardi is asked to call Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550 and ask to speak to the Sex Crimes Unit, File No. 2019-38332.