KELOWNA – A successful Kelowna trampoline coach whose students have won medals at national and international events has been charged with five sex crimes, including making and possessing child pornography.
It’s alleged Angelo Despotas unlawfully recorded seven females, ages eight to 17, where they would be expected to be nude.
In their investigation, police seized ten videos.
A small camera was allegedly hidden inside a garbage can in the female washroom of a gymnastics club.
Other charges of making secret recordings for a sexual purpose stem from Despotas allegedly using his GoPro camera to take up-skirt videos of two unidentified females, one of whom was shopping at a Kelowna electronics store.
The other female appeared to be between 16 and 20 years old.
Despotas’ coaching certificate has been suspended by Gymnastics BC pending the outcome of the judicial proceedings.
“We are saddened and deeply distressed to hear of this situation,’ says Gymnastics BC CEO Brian Forrester. “The safety of children participating in our clubs is the primary concern of Gymnastics BC and its member clubs.”
Despotas could not be reached for comment.
His phone number is out-of-service and his condominium unit has reportedly been recently sold.
Kelowna RCMP are also not commenting on the case.
Despotas next court appearance is March 3rd.