Former Petes billet charged after allegedly exploitive relationship with player

A former Peterborough Petes billet parent was arrested in the Ontario city on Feb. 21 and has been charged with sexual exploitation, making sexually explicit material available to a person under 18 years of age, and making obscene matter, according to court records obtained by TSN.

According to the records, the billet “while in a position of trust or authority towards [a Petes player] was in a relationship with [a Petes player] that was exploitive.”

The records say the billet between Feb. 1 and March 31, 2023, made available and distributed sexually explicit material to a person under the age of 18 and that the billet parent made “an obscene picture, to wit: a digital image,” contrary to the Criminal Code.

There is a publication ban on any information that might identify a witness or complainant in the case. The documents say that the billet was released after posting a $5,000 bond and that their next court date is March 19.

Neither the Petes nor the Peterborough Police Service have responded to repeated requests for comment.

Sexual exploitation, making sexually explicit material available to a minor, and making obscene matter are all hybrid offences, said Alison Craig, a defence lawyer who is not involved in the case. That means a Crown attorney will have the discretion to choose whether to proceed with the charges summarily or as indictable offences. Summary offences are less serious than indictable ones.

Sexual exploitation carries a minimum sentence of 90 days in jail if the Crown proceeds summarily and a maximum jail term of two years less a day. The minimum penalty for an indictable sexual exploitation charge is one year in jail. The maximum penalty is 14 years in prison.