Former BC teacher investigated but not charged for child pornography offences gets lifetime ban

A former BC elementary school teacher who was investigated but never charged for child pornography offences has been banned for life from teaching.

Devin Gray was arrested at a school he was teaching at in the Peace River North school district in April 2021, said a consent resolution agreement from the BC Commissioner for Teacher Regulation.

“In December 2020, sexual images (the “Initial Images”) of elementary school-aged children were uploaded to a Tumblr account associated with the email address ‘[email protected],’” said the agreement, which was published online this week.

The Commissioner said the account and email address were linked to an Internet Protocol address that was located at the residence where Gray lived.

The agreement said the email address was activated in 2013 and Gray was the authorized user.

In February 2021, a search warrant was obtained by the RCMP and carried out at Gray’s house.

Police reportedly seized several electronic devices, one of which contained over 500 pictures and videos of children, believed to be between the age of three and 13.

“Some of the Images were considered by the RCMP to be consistent with the definition of child pornography in section 163.1 of the Criminal Code of Canada,” the Commissioner said.

The device belonged to Gray, the agreement said. The profile used his name and many of the files used Gray’s name, including materials related to teaching, emails and his resume.

According to the report, the device was identified by another person residing at the house as being Gray’s property and which was only used by Gray.

Gray was arrested at the school on April 16, 2021.

“The Crown did not approve charges against Gray,” the agreement said.

Gray was placed on administrative leave when he was arrested but later fired on May 4, 2021.

An investigation was ordered and, in July 2021, Gray gave an undertaking to the Commissioner not to teach until the final resolution was reached on the matter.

During that same month, Gray’s teaching certificate was suspended due to non-payment.

“On September 12, 2024, the Criminal Records Review Program notified the Commissioner that it had written to Gray twice to provide fingerprints for a criminal records check, but he had not provided fingerprints, as required,” the Commissioner said.

Two months later, his teaching certificate was cancelled due to non-payment.

In July of this year, Gray entered into the consent agreement with the Commissioner, in which he admitted the conduct was “unbecoming” and contrary to standards for a BC educator.

“Gray allowed his Device and email address to be used to access child pornography. Child pornography directly and indirectly harms children. His conduct undermines the public confidence in the profession,” the Commissioner said.

“Gray failed to comply with his professional responsibility to provide fingerprints for a criminal record check.”