A 49-year-old former Goh Ballet Academy instructor has been charged after allegedly having a sexual relationship with an underage student, Vancouver police revealed Wednesday.
Alejandro Vargas Gomez is accused of starting the relationship last January with a girl who was between the ages of 16 and 18.
Sgt. Randy Fincham said investigators are concerned there could be more potential victims, and urged anyone with information to call the Vancouver Police Sex Crimes Unit.
“We’re looking for other people to come forward,” Fincham said. “Any information shared with the Sex Crimes Unit will be held in confidence.”
Fincham couldn’t confirm whether Gomez, who is originally from Mexico, has a criminal history outside of Canada.
Police said the alleged relationship took place outside work, and that the Goh Ballet Academy is cooperating with their investigation.
Academy director Chan Hon Goh told CTV News that staff only learned about the allegations Wednesday afternoon, and were left shocked and dismayed.
“I’m a parent myself and I wish [parents] so much to know that there is nothing that anyone here, under our supervision, could have done to have foreseen any of this,” she said. “I wish there was.”
Gomez started working at the academy in fall 2013.
He is charged with two counts of sexual exploitation and one count of luring, and is being held in custody pending further investigation.
Anyone potential victims or witnesses are asked to call the Vancouver Police Sex Crimes Unit at 604-717-0600 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
