FORT ST. JOHN, BRITISH COLUMBIA - Former North Peace Pride Society (NPPS) President Sean Gravells has been charged with sexual interference, sexual exploitation, and child pornography-related crimes.
The Canadian man faces charges of sexual interference with a person under 16, physical contact with a person under 16 for sexual purposes, and possessing as well as importing or distributing child pornographic materials, Dan McLaughlin, a B.C. Prosecution Service (BCPS) spokesman said in a statement via email.
Gravells has been removed from his position with NPPS since his arrest for the alleged offenses, NPPS said in a statement posted to Facebook. The former pride president allegedly committed interference and exploitation crimes on Dec. 29, 2023, and child pornography crimes on Dec. 31, 2023, near Fort St. John.
“On December 31, 2023, one of our board members was arrested and is facing severe charges inconsistent with the North Peace Pride Society’s mission and code of conduct,” the NPPS wrote. “In response to the gravity of the charges, we have immediately removed this person from the board, emphasizing our commitment to our community’s values.”
The NPPS statement said “swift actions” were taken once the pride organization learned of the 39-year-old suspect’s “severe charges.” Gravells was NPPS board president from 2018 until his recent termination, an NPPS website biography that has been removed stated.
NPPS said he was not in direct contact with children through the role.
“While some board members work directly with youth through library programs, this person was not among them. All board members involved in youth programs have undergone criminal record checks,” the NPPS wrote in the statement. “Moving forward, we remain dedicated to community safety. We are implementing measures such as subjecting all board members to record checks to uphold the highest standards.”
Dan McLaughlin, a British Columbia Prosecution Service spokesman, indicated he appeared in provincial court on January 1, and his arraignment is scheduled for January 29.
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Comments
422 days ago | Comment by: Joe
Oh, that’s weird; an alphabet uses the alphabet ploy to harm our children. No second chance and nothing less than the death penalty needs to be his sentence.
421 days ago | Comment by: Jim
Just goes to show you that many, if not most of these people are perverts who take advantage of others, including minors for their own perverted minds. No wonder we hate them!