Edward Casavant of Summerland was recently arrested on numerous sex charges. Penticton RCMP are seeking further victims.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ RCMP

PENTICTON - Police are seeking additional victims after arresting a Penticton man on numerous child pornography and sex charges yesterday

Edward Casavant, 54, of Penticton was arrested on an outstanding warrant yesterday, May 15, and now faces a number of charges relating to incidents that took place between 2008 and 2014, including:

• 2 counts of making or publishing child pornography
• 1 count of distributing child pornography
• 1 count of possession of child pornography
• 1 count of importing child pornography
• 1 count of accessing child pornography
• 1 count of observing or recording nudity in a private place
• 1count of sexual exploitation of a person with a disability
• 1 count of sexual assault
• 1 count of sexual interference of a person under 16
• 1 count of invitation to sexual touching under 16.

Penticton RCMP received information in November, 2018 that sparked a child assault and pornography investigation of Casavant, a long time employee of a Summerland recreation facility.

Casavant, known as “Eddie Spaghetti,” was employed as a lifeguard for over 30 years, beginning in the late 1980s, Cpl. Chris Manseau said in a press release issued this afternoon.

"While we have identified at least two victims, we strongly believe there are additional victims who may not have already reported, or may not be aware they are a victim. We are asking anyone who believes that they, or someone they know, had contact with Casavant to report to their police of jurisdiction, or to call the Penticton RCMP tip line at (250) 276-2177.

In a release this afternoon, Summerland mayor Toni Boot said Casavant retired from the recreation centre in late 2018 after 30 years of service. 

"We recognize this situation is deeply upsetting to our community-to any community. It's upsetting to us as well. We know people will have questions, and we will do our best to answer them when it is appropriate and when we have the authorities' permission to do so. Our focus is on ensuring those impacted by these alleged incidents get the help they need, and ensuring this sort of thing can't happen again.

"We want all Summerland residents and visitors to know that public safety, and particularly the safety and well-being of our children, matters most. We will do everything in our power to provide municipal facilities where people can feel comfortable, safe and free from harm or discrimination."

— This story was updated at 3:33 p.m. May 16 to include a statement from Summerland Mayor Toni Boot. 

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