Former high school teacher convicted of sex-related offences
A former high school teacher has been convicted of sex related offences.
A Windsor-Essex jury found Ryan Turgeon, 39, guilty of sexual exploitation and making sexually explicit material available to a minor.
These two charges were in relation to offences against the first complainant on the indictment.
For the remaining charges – all for alleged offences against the second complainant – the jury found Turgeon not guilty.
Those charges include sexual exploitation, making sexually explicit material available to a minor, accessing child pornography and communicating with a minor.
“The Crown will seek a significant jail sentence at Mr. Turgeon’s sentencing hearing to ensure the ongoing safety of our students in school,” Assistant Crown Attorney Jayme Lesperance told CTV News in a statement. “Students are our most precious commodity in society, they must be protected and this type of offence must be specifically deterred.”
The jury learned Turgeon taught both complainants between 2015 and 2019 at Catholic Central High School where he taught religion, civics and careers and drama.
Both complainants testified during the trial.
While both struggled with specific timelines for certain events, the defence argued the second complainant “should not be trusted full stop”.
Dean Embry argued the second complainants evidence changed over time and was based on a “chance meeting” on Grindr.
Embry was also critical of the second complainant for having a fake Grindr account in which he would have had to lie about his age.
As for the first complainant, Embry told the jury it would be “tempting” to believe him just “because he was better on the stand”, but he warned the jurors that certain timelines in this complainants story also didn’t make sense.
After the verdict, Embry and Turgeon declined to comment.
A date for sentencing will now be set for Turgeon.
According to the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board, Turgeon is no longer an employee of the board and his status is listed as “inactive/non-practicing” by the College of Teachers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.