Coquitlam man charged with six historic sex crimes

RCMP are looking for more victims of a Coquitlam man who is facing numerous allegations of historical sexual abuse involving three teenage boys and one young man.

Police are releasing Raymond Howard Gaglardi's name and photo to try and identify any additional victims or witnesses who have not yet spoken to police.

Gaglardi met his victims through churches in the Lower Mainland.

“It takes tremendous courage for adult men to come forward about abuse that happened when they were young,” said Cpl. Michael McLaughlin with Coquitlam RCMP. “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.”

The investigation began in December 2019. Gaglardi is facing four counts of sexual assault and two counts of sexual exploitation.

Gaglardi also went by the name ‘Doctor Ray Gaglardi’ and offered therapy sessions to young people that he met primarily through their parents at church.

The alleged offences happened between 1993 and 2007 in Gaglardi’s Coquitlam home.

Gaglardi has been connected to multiple churches in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam including Hillside Community Church, Austin Avenue Chapel and Evergreen Evangelical.

“Church leaders have done everything they can to help police and make sure their parishioners are safe,” said 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 arrested and released with conditions including not to be alone with anyone under 18 unless he is in public and not to be alone with anyone under 18 unless that person’s parents are aware of these charges.

“If you have any information about allegations surrounding Gaglardi, please call the Coquitlam RCMP non-emergency number at 604-945-1550 and ask to speak to the Sex Crimes Unit file #2019-38332,” said McLaughlin.