“I’ve never touched any student there:’ former Nanaimo pastor denies alleged sex crimes

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Ryan Richard James Morgan flatly denied allegations of sexual wrongdoing toward young female members of his former Christian church congregation in Nanaimo. (Image Credit: ymin.ca)

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"I've never touched any student there:' former Nanaimo pastor denies alleged sex crimes

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The case against Morgan centre on the former longtime youth pastor allegedly sexually violating female congregation members under the guise of providing medical treatment with the use of kinesiology tape (K-tape)

Morgan has an advanced form wilderness first aid training, who the trial heard was known as a lead figure in applying k-tape to youth female members of his ministry.

The trial depicted the accused as a popular mentor he oversaw a well subscribed youth faction of the church, featuring congregation based, as well as off-site excursions.

In reference to the first unidentified complainant, defence attorney Owen James pointedly asked his client if he ever put his hands down her pants and grabbed her vulva.

“Never,” Morgan quickly responded from the witness stand in relation to a June 2017 allegation at Generations Church.

James asked how confident he was in his position.

“100 per cent confident,” Morgan declared without hesitation.

“I’ve never touched any student there, ever.”

The denial is at odds with accounts of two complainants, both involving K-tape extending from their stomach areas, down their legs and beneath their underwear.

Morgan is accused of pressing his hands to apply the tape over both victims pubic area, which they both testified was not their expectations.

Both victims testified to close bonds they formed with Morgan.

The complainants stated Morgan was a trusted source they could confide in to navigate various challenges in their lives, including mental health issues.

Friday’s trial heard how the church’s lead pastor approached Morgan in October 2020 to inform him of sexual misconduct allegations by a student had been made against him, and that a police report was being filed.

Morgan continued to work as a third party law firm, retained by the church, also examined the allegations, the accused told court.

Several months later, Morgan stated it made more sense if he went on leave.

Morgan said after the third party investigation had concluded several months later, he returned to work.

Shortly after resuming his duties in April 2021, Morgan told the trial he could sense his return was not appreciated by some members of the congregation.

Subsequently, the lead pastor informed Morgan that a few “pretty nasty” signs in his parking spot had been placed and removed.

One of the signs stated: “Ryan Morgan is a f*cking pedophile.”

Morgan resigned within an hour.

He reported just before the signs appeared that his car was keyed, stating his family had never been victims of such vandalism in the 10 years they had lived at their Nanaimo home.

A few months later, he accepted a job with a church in Peterborough, Ontario.

The alleged violations against the younger victim relate to incidents in 2017 in Nanaimo and Bella Bella, amounting to four total charges.

Two other charges involve the second complainant relate to alleged offending by Morgan in 2020 in Nanaimo and Courtenay.

Morgan is charged with four counts of sexual assault, two against each complainant, as well as a pair of counts of touching for a sexual purpose against the younger complainant.

Crown prosecutor Tania Holland opened the trial by stating Morgan, who had first aid training, repeatedly exploited his victims.

On June 3, the second complainant testified, relaying a similar version of events as the trial’s opening day with k-tape being applied.

“Did he ever ask you to put the tape underneath your underwear and shorts?” the Crown’s Holland asked the second complainant.

“No,” she responded.

The woman told the trial Morgan brushed his hand over her pubic area to apply pressure to the tape to ensure it remain attached, making her uncomfortable.

“I didn’t know what the expect, it’s not what I thought he’d do,” the woman told court, who was 18-years-old at the time.

The same process was repeated on the other side of her body, she testified.

Another witness was in the room, but the second complainant couldn’t recall who it was.

The woman said she felt confused and conflicted as she trusted Morgan and didn’t want to derail her status within the congregation.

The trial continues next week with Morgan remaining on the witness stand to be questioned further by his lawyer, followed by the accused facing anticipated cross-examination.

While the trial is tentatively slated to conclude late next week, a verdict is likely several weeks, if not months away.

The trial’s complexity, combined with scheduling availability issues of the lawyers involved and presiding Vancouver-based judge, need to be resolved.

The case is being overseen by BC Supreme Court Justice David Crear.

None of the allegations in this article have been proven in court.

Ryan Morgan formally led the youth ministry at Generations Church behind Terminal Park mall in Nanaimo, part of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada.

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