~Warning: This story deals with child sexual abuse and may be triggering for some readers.
A Kelowna man will return to prison after being convicted for possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material and sexual assault, for a second time.
Graham Dodge, 36, stood in a Supreme Court prisoner’s box wearing a red outfit and stocking feet and entered a guilty plea. He was subsequently sentenced after Crown prosecution and his defence lawyer filed a joint submission.
Dodge was first charged with sexual assault, possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material and supplying liquor to a minor in 2008. He plead guilty to the charges and was sentenced to nine months in jail plus a three-year period of probation.
He was later found guilty of breaching the conditions of his probation two years later and then again in 2013 when he was caught approaching boys at the Penticton Public Library. He spent a total of 15 months in prison for the breach of probation.
READ MORE: Sex offender jailed for breach
Dodge was arrested again in 2020 after an investigation into a Child Sexual Abuse Material ring in Australia found several Canadians associated with receiving the illegal footage.
Dodge was among those named.
When the police arrested Dodge at his Kelowna apartment, a 16-year-old boy was in the residence, said Crown counsel.
An investigation found 49 files of child pornography on Dodge’s computers and phones.
After the arrest, Dodge admitted to engaging in sexual acts with a boy who was 13 years old.
Dodge would buy the boy alcohol and marijuana to coerce him to spend time at his house.
Crown told the court that multiple other minors were reportedly observed at Dodge’s apartment, but after entering a guilty plea, the accused will only be sentenced for the assault of one youth.
Dodge read a statement to the judge prior to sentencing.
He said that spending the past 27 months in custody has been “both rewarding and challenging.”
Dodge said that he acted as a peer mentor and modelled good behaviour for other inmates, which was a fulfilling experience.
However, “there is a heavy financial impact” associated with being incarcerated, said Dodge. He said that as a homeowner, it is difficult to make his mortgage and strata payments. He also said, “I have lost friends over this.”
Dodge said that he is eager to continue counselling and would like to participate in specialized sex offender services.
Justice Gordon Weatherill sentenced Dodge to a total of four years and 93 days in prison for the two charges, which will be served concurrently. Dodge will receive credit for time already served and will spend an additional year in prison, with three years of probation.
Dodge will be subject to the Sex Offender Information Registration Act, for 10 years.
If you have information about child sexual exploitation, visit the Cybertip Canada website.
