26.39°C Vancouver

Jun 8, 2023 9:05 PM - The Canadian Press

Alberta spiritual leader, wife facing additional sexual assault charges: Police

Share On
alberta-spiritual-leader-wife-facing-additional-sexual-assault-charges-police
Johannes de Ruiter was arrested and charged in January with four counts of sexual assault.

A self-styled spiritual leader and his wife are facing additional charges for alleged sexual assaults between 2012 and 2019.

Edmonton police say Johannes (John) de Ruiter, who is 63, has been charged with three counts of sexual assault in three separate cases.

Leigh Ann de Ruiter, who is 64, was jointly charged with two counts of sexual assault.

Police have said Johannes de Ruiter is the leader of an Edmonton group known as the College of Integrated Philosophy or the Oasis Group.

Edmonton police have alleged that he would tell female members that he was directed by a spirit to engage in sexual activity with them, and that doing so would give them the opportunity to achieve spiritual enlightenment.

They have not elaborated on allegations against his wife.

Johannes de Ruiter was arrested and charged in January with four counts of sexual assault.

His wife was then arrested and charged with counts of sexual assault almost two months later.

Latest news

WorldAug 22, 2025

Rollover crash involving tour bus on the New York Thruway leaves multiple dead, others injured

A tour bus returning to New York City from Niagara Falls crashed Friday, killing and injuring multiple people, police said. It was not immediately clear what caused the crash on I-90 near Pembroke, which is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) east of Buffalo. Photos taken by bystanders at the scene showed a bus rolled over on its side, just off the highway. “At this time, we have multiple fatalities, multiple entrapments and multiple injuries,” said Trooper James O’Callahan, a spokesperson for the New York State Police. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. PEMBR
rcmp-investigating-counterfeit-bills-spent-in-sidney-bc
CanadaAug 22, 2025

RCMP investigating counterfeit bills spent in Sidney, BC

Sidney RCMP are investigating after counterfeit bills were used at a local business, prompting a warning to other shop owners and residents. On August 21, 2025, Sidney/North Saanich RCMP responded to a report of a counterfeit $100 bill that was used at a local Sidney business. Initial investigative steps by frontline members showed that the counterfeit bill was “prop money” and could be purchased online and in different denominations. Police are advising all businesses and individuals accepting cash payments to carefully inspect all bills for authenticity. It is an offence to recirculat
carney-says-he-will-travel-to-germany-next-week-to-deepen-ties
CanadaAug 22, 2025

Carney says he will travel to Germany next week to deepen ties

Prime Minister Mark Carney says he will soon travel to Europe in a bid to deepen ties with Germany. He says he will be "picking up discussions" started with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the spring when the pair met in Rome and later at the G7 summit in Alberta. Carney says Canada has a good partnership with Germany but he believes it can be better. The German government revealed ahead of Carney's announcement that he would meet with Merz on Tuesday morning. Berlin's statement says the two leaders are expected to discuss current foreign and economic policy issues. Carney says Natural Res
BCAug 22, 2025

Richmond RCMP warns public about rental deposit scams

Richmond RCMP is warning the public of a current trend involving rental deposit scams. Since July of 2025, Richmond RCMP officers are investigating five reports of rental deposit frauds where individual losses range from $400 to $2,600. In most cases, the victims found an online advertisement on a social media platform, contacted the alleged owner and were asked to pay a deposit to secure the property via e-transfer. Once the funds were transferred, the victim soon discovered the property was not available for rent. “We realize the rental market is highly competitive, especially around this
b-c-ostrich-farm-loses-court-bid-to-prevent-avian-flu-cull
BCAug 22, 2025

B.C. ostrich farm loses court bid to prevent avian flu cull

The Federal Court of Appeal has rejected a bid by a British Columbia ostrich farm to prevent the culling of its flock that had been infected with avian flu. The court has dismissed two applications by Universal Ostrich Farms over the cull of about 400 birds, which was sought by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. It says the "stamping out" policy of the agency, in which infected poultry flocks are killed, is reasonable, and that criteria to apply it had been met in the case of the farm in Edgewood, B.C. The planned cull had drawn opposition from United States officials, including Health Secre

Related News