Summerland lifeguard enters guilty pleas on child porn charges

PENTICTON – A former Summerland lifeguard entered guilty pleas to four sex-related charges in Penticton court today.

Edward Rupert Joseph Casavant appeared in person in court this morning, July 25, entering guilty pleas to possession of child porn, secretly recording nudity in a public place, sexual exploitation of a person with a disability and making or publishing child pornography.

Defence lawyer Don Skogstad requested a pre-sentence report along with a psychological component for Cassavant.

Casavant, 54, has been in custody since his arrest on May 15 this year on an outstanding warrant. He was arrested and originally faced 10 counts related to incidents that took place between 2008 and 2014.

Today’s charges involved incidents that took place between Jan 1, 2008, and Dec. 2014, some of which took place at the Summerland Aquatic Centre.

Judge Robin Smith also invoked a publication ban to protect the identify the victims.

Casavant was often referred to as “Eddie Spaghetti” and was employed as a lifeguard for more than 30 years, volunteering at times at local summer camps and other community events.

His case was adjourned to the judicial case manager’s office for Aug. 25.

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