Coquitlam youth sports coach charged with child pornography offences

The Coquitlam RCMP is looking to identify potential victims and witnesses after a Coquitlam resident, and youth sports coach was charged with child pornography offences.

Coquitlam RCMP arrested 59-year-old Randy Downes today. Downes was charged was charged with four counts of child pornography, one count of possession of child pornography, and four counts of voyeurism.

“Mr. Downes is a 59-year-old Coquitlam resident and has been involved in youth sports across Metro Vancouver for more than 30 years. Specifically, Mr. Downes has coached various levels of hockey and baseball since the 1990s and has worked as a photographer for hockey, baseball and soccer,” said Const. Jamie Phillipson of the Coquitlam RCMP.

The Coquitlam RCMP Sex Crimes Unit has been investigating Downes since March 2016.

On April 27, 2016, investigators executed a search warrant on Downes’ property and obtained digital evidence containing images of child porn.

“We have no evidence to suggest that Mr. Downes had sexual contact with any of the children,” said Phillipson.

However, the Coquitlam RCMP has released a photo of Downes and is asking the public’s assistance in identifying potential witnesses or victims.

If you have any information regarding this case, Coquitlam RCMP is asking you to email investigators directly at [email protected] or by calling the Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550 and quoting police file number 2016-9938.

If you wish to remain anonymous, please contact Crime Stoppers:

• By phone: 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)
• Online: www.solvecrime.ca
• By SMS: Text BCTIP and your message to CRIMES (274637)
• Via Facebook: www.facebook.com/metrovancouvercrimestoppers