Charges stayed against former Mission principal caught in Creep Catchers sting

The Crown has stayed a charge of child luring against a former Mission elementary school principal who was caught up in a Creep Catchers sting.

In October of last year, 38-year-old Jason Alan Obert was confronted by members of the Fraser Valley Creep Catchers after allegedly coming to Abbotsford’s Sevenoaks Shopping Centre to meet what he thought was a teen girl.

Shortly after the video was posted online parents recognized Obert as a school administrator and police began an investigation. Obert was charged the following month.

But that charge won’t be making its way through the court system.

Instead, Obert must obey the conditions of a nine-month peace bond.

Peace bonds usually contain several conditions and are used to prevent someone from committing or recommitting a crime.

It remains unclear what conditions have been attached to Obert’s file.

When he was initially charged, he was released under the condition that he refrain from communicating or interacting with any under 18 years of age except his children, and when in the company of an approved adult.

WATCH: Legal limits of Creep Catchers video as evidence

6:51 Legal limits of Creep Catchers video as evidence

He was also prohibited from engaging with anyone under the age of 18 via computers and social media, and required to stay away from parks, school grounds, daycares, and other public places where children may be present.

A former member of the Fraser Valley Creep Catchers Chapter says she angry charges of child luring have been stayed against a former Mission Elementary School Teacher.

“I don’t honestly know the details why they handed him such a pathetic nine-month peace bond.”

Marie Bullon, now captain of a similar group called Block Guardians, was part of the sting last October involving Obert.

It turns out the reason why the charges were stayed are related to how the vigilante group bait alleged pedophiles.

Crown Counsel said it had concerns about the admissibility of evidence, how it was obtained and the nature of the communications.

Bullon said she’s frustrated but it just means her team has to be more diligent.

“In order for me to do a proper catch, there has to be sexual intent and he has to initiate the meet. Which means he has to say ‘ hey, hey do you want to meet up, do you want to do this, do you want to meet up?”’

She said the Block Guardians do not initiate chats.