“We believe that there may be other victims. If you have been assaulted by Dienes, we encourage you to come forward and report it to police”
Edmonton police have arrested and charged a former St. Albert minor hockey trainer with multiple sexual assault charges in relation to a sexual assault involving a 16-year-old boy.
On Sept. 10, police began investigating a report of a sexual assault on a male youth. Later in the investigation, it was revealed that in May 2022, the man befriended a 16-year-old male using social media with the intent of engaging in sexual contact. The man then reportedly sexually assaulted the youth later that same year in his residence, said police in a release.
Stephen Frank Dienes, 52, has been charged with sexual assault, unlawful confinement and sexual exploitation.
Dienes joined the St. Albert Raiders U-18 AAA team as a trainer for the 2018-19 season, but is no longer with the team or the St. Albert Minor Hockey Association.
St. Albert Minor Hockey Association executive director Jane Sedo is aware of the charges against him, but declined to be interviewed with Postmedia.
Investigators are concerned that other young males may have also been lured by social media and then sexually assaulted, and would like anyone who has been victimized by Dienes to come forward.
“We believe that there may be other victims. If you have been assaulted by Dienes, we encourage you to come forward and report it to police,” says Det. Brian McGuigan with the Edmonton Police Service sexual assault section in a release.
“Most importantly, we want to remind anyone who has been victimized by Dienes: it is not your fault. We are here to help.”
Anyone who believes they have been victimized by Dienes is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567.
Dienes is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 22.