A coach who works with horses in Kelowna, B.C., has been charged with six sex-related crimes, some of which involve young people.
Sebastien Benoit Devrainne, from Devrainne Performance Horses, is facing charges of sexual exploitation, luring a child, and making sexually explicit material available to a child. He also faces three counts of sexual assault for incidents spanning from 2011 to 2023.
Based at the Gemstone Acres facility, Devrainne previously provided coaching, training, and other equestrian services for beginners through advanced levels in Canada and the US.
Devrainne was a member of Equestrian Canada, and an organization representative stated their commitment to Safe Sport principles and Responsible Coaching Movement. They take the protection of everyone involved in equestrian sport very seriously as part of this commitment.
The organization stated that they cannot comment on the specifics of a case until their complaints process has been completed.
They will make exceptions if requested by law enforcement for public safety or to support a criminal investigation.
The organization confirmed that in November 2023, their Independent Third Party Complaints Manager (ITP) received a serious complaint regarding an EC sport licence holder. As a result, Mr. Devrainne was provisionally suspended immediately, and his name can be found on their current list of members not in good standing.
When the organization receives a serious complaint, the individual is immediately provisionally suspended and placed on a publicly-available disciplinary sanctions list, and law enforcement is contacted if necessary. Last November, a man described by the RCMP as a prominent member of Kelowna, B.C.’s equestrian community was arrested following allegations of sexual assault and sexual exploitation. As of Thursday afternoon, it could not be confirmed whether Devrainne was the person, or if more victims have come forward following their call for more information.
There are three victims listed on the charge sheet.
Investigators believe there may be more victims due to the accused's involvement in the equestrian community for several years. They are asking anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a sexual offense to come forward and report to the police.
A Kelowna equestrian coach is facing six sex-related charges, including several involving young people, according to an RCMP press release.
“Our investigators believe there may be additional victims as the accused has been involved in the equestrian community for a number of years,” Cpl. Tim Russell with the Kelowna RCMP vulnerable persons unit said in November at the time of the original release.
“Based on this belief, we are asking anyone in the equestrian community who believes they may have also been victim to an offence of a sexual nature to please come forward and report those incidents to police.”
