Former Edmonton youth hockey team volunteer charged with sexually abusing teenage boy

An Edmonton man who volunteered with underage hockey players has been charged with sexually abusing a teenage boy.

Edmonton police arrested 52-year-old Stephen Frank Dienes last week, following an investigation that began on September 10.

EPS alleges that Dienes befriended a 16-year-old boy through social media in 2022 and that he abused the teenager in his home later that year.

“Detectives are concerned that other young men may also have been lured via social media and subsequently sexually abused,” EPS said in a statement.

Photos of Dienes from now-deleted social media accounts show him in a sheriff’s uniform, and the Alberta government directory lists a person by that name as sheriff.

Sheena Campbell, communications director for the Alberta Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Services, confirmed that an Alberta sheriff’s officer was arrested by EPS.

Campbell said the ongoing investigation and concerns about employee privacy prevented her from commenting further.

“As an employer, the Government of Alberta is following our standard protocols to ensure a comprehensive investigation into the matter can occur,” she said.

Dienes is accused of assault, sexual exploitation and unlawful confinement.

A person by the same name is listed online as a coach on the St. Albert U18 AAA team roster in previous tournaments and youth hockey seasons.

EPS announced the charges on September 18, and a spokesperson for Hockey Alberta said in a statement that the organization became aware that same day of the charges against someone who volunteered with its hockey programs, including several of its affiliated minor hockey clubs.

“This individual is no longer associated with Hockey Alberta. We have not been notified by law enforcement that the allegations relate to hockey-related activities,” the statement said.

“We remain committed to the safety and well-being of all our participants. We take such matters seriously and will provide any assistance to the police investigation that they deem necessary.”

Police are asking anyone with information to come forward,

Dienes is due to appear in court on October 22.