Lower Mainland youth baseball and hockey coach facing child porn charges

A longtime youth hockey and baseball coach and president of theCoquitlam-MoodyBaseball Association has been charged with making or publishing child pornography and secretly recording or observing nudity in a private place.

Randy WilliamDowneswas scheduled to appear for a bail hearing in provincial court on Wednesdayin PortCoquitlam, B.C.

He faces one count of possession of child pornography, four counts of secretly recording or observing nudity in a private place and four counts of making or publishing child pornography.

According to Coquitlam RCMP, the sex crimes unit began investigating Downes in March after a tip to the child exploitation unit.

Const. Jamie Phillipson said a search warrant was executed, which resulted in the seizure of digital images that meet the criteria for child pornography.

"We have no evidence to suggest that Mr. Downes has had sexual contact with any of these children," Phillipson said.

Phillipson wouldn't speak to specifics of the investigation or the images, but said that the photos in question appear to have been taken in a public setting without the knowledge of the children involved.

Coached kids for 30 years

Downes, 59,has coached at various levels of hockey and baseball for three decades, including withthe Burnaby Winter Club, the Coquitlam Minor Hockey Association and Coquitlam-MoodyBaseball.

He has alsoacted as a photographer for hockey, soccer and baseball.

The B.C. Amateur Baseball Association saidthat Downes has been suspended from "all baseball, volunteer and board activity, effective immediately."

In an emailed statement, the baseball association said it has no information on alleged victims involved with baseball.

"Should we become aware of any individual potential victims, we will try to assist them in accessing all appropriate resources," the association's statement said.

"Consistent with Baseball B.C. and B.C. (Minor) Baseball policies, Coquitlam-Moody Minor Baseball requires criminal record checks from all its coaches. Randy Downes has complied with this requirement."

The BurnabyWinter Club said Downeswas formerly a minor hockey coach therebut he departed in 2014 for reasons unrelated to the charges brought against him.

"The club says it has no knowledge of any criminal conduct involving any of itsplayers, past or present.

RCMPare asking parents with children who may have come in contact withDownesto speak with their kids.