75-year-old Lower Mainland man facing charges related to historical sexual abuse: RCMP

COQUITLAM, B.C. – Police say a 75-year-old Coquitlam man has been charged following six allegations of historical sexual abuse involving three teenage boys and one young man.

In a news release on Tuesday, the RCMP say their investigation began last December and resulted in Raymond Howard Gaglardi being charged with four counts of sexual assault and two counts of sexual exploitation.

The alleged offences took place between 1993 and 2007 at the accused's home, where police say therapy sessions were offered to young people who were met primarily through their parents at church.

Police say Gaglardi has been associated with multiple churches in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam, including Hillside Community Church, Austin Avenue Chapel and Evergreen Evangelical.

The Mounties say Gaglardi was arrested and released with conditions that forbid him from being alone with anyone under the age of 18 unless he's in public or unless that young person's parents are aware of the charges he faces.

Police say their investigation is ongoing and appealed for any other alleged victims to come forward.

"It takes tremendous courage for adult men to come forward about abuse that happened when they were young," Cpl. Michael McLaughlin said in the 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."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 14, 2020.