Former Hamilton teacher-coach with Blue Jays' youth academy faces more sex charges

A former public schoolteacher and baseball coach in Hamilton who worked for years with the Toronto Blue Jays' youth academy now facestwo moresex charges, on top of ones announced previously in a separate case.

Hamilton police Const.Inderjit Bharaj said in a phone interview he couldn't reveal many details, but the new chargessexualassault and sexual interference against the 57-year-oldwere related to two separate"historical" cases.

"The sex assault unit believes there may be others," he said.

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board previously said John Douglas Hashimoto worked at four schools between 1987 and2019:

• Billy Green Elementary School.
• Dr. J.E. Davey Elementary School.
• Queensdale Elementary School.
• Sherwood Secondary School.

In a previous letter to families, the school board also said: "If you are a survivor of child sexual abuse or sexual assault, remember the abuse was not your fault and there is no time limit on reporting the abuse to police."

Bharaj said Hashimoto, of Hamilton, has been released on bail.

Hamilton police say anyone with information can contact Det.-Const.Michal Buszkowski of the sexual assault unit at 905-540-5543 or Crime Stoppers.

Separate investigation by Halton police

Hashimoto was previouslycharged by Halton Regional Policewith luring a child under 16 and aninvitation to sexual touching.

Bharaj said the charges in Hamilton are separate from the ones in Halton.

Court documents obtained by CBC News show he was first arrested on March 31.

Halton police said Hashimoto workedat the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Academy.

The BlueJayssaid Hashimotowas a seasonal employee with theacademy from 2006 until early 2020. Spokesperson Jessica Beard said the organization terminated hiscontractduring the pandemic.

As part of his work, the Blue Jayssaid, he underwent a criminal record check every other year, andwas last cleared in November 2019. The team also said annual mandatorytrainingforits baseball instructorsrequiresstaff to not be alone with children and youth participants.

Halton police said Hashimoto's credentials include beinga master coach developer and evaluatorwith Baseball Canada.

Adam Morissette, spokesperson for Baseball Canada, previously said the organization suspendedhimindefinitely.

Halton police saidhe used the handle David or David 46 online.

Const. Steve Elms, a spokesperson forHalton police, previously said there may be other victims.

Anyone with information related to the Haltoncase is asked to call Det. Todd Martinat 905-825-4747 ext. 8983 or Det. Const. Andrew Hulbert at 905-825-4747 ext. 8974. Both are withthe Halton Regional Police Service internet child exploitation unit.

Resources for sexual assault survivors and their familiesinclude:

• Kids Help Phone:1-800-688-6868 or text 686868 orkidshelpphone.ca.
• Children's Aid Society: (905) 522-1121 (intake) orhamiltoncas.com.
• Sexual Assault Centre of Hamilton (SACHA) Crisis Line (905) 525-4162 orsacha.ca.
• Tips from the public school board foradults supporting children after a distressing event.