‘Deeply disturbing’: Third suspect charged in connection with alleged sexual assault ring following W5 investigation

Infiltrating a global network of men who drug, rape and record their partners, W5: Avery Haines Investigates exposes the brazen criminals.

Warning: Graphic content

Another suspect has been charged in connection with an alleged sexual assault ring, which was exposed by a W5 investigation.

In a news release issued Tuesday, Hamilton police said their investigative work began in May of 2025 with the arrest of Bryan Hayward.

The 37-year-old contractor is facing dozens of charges for his alleged involvement in an online network of thousands of men who secretly drug and film their intimate partners, and then share the videos of their sexual assaults around the world.

As the investigation unfolded, police said they identified additional victims, which led to the arrest of a third suspect, 43-year-old Gilles Richard.

Police allege that Richard became “involved with” Hayward online and arranged sexual encounters with adult victims. The victims were drugged without their knowledge and then allegedly sexually assaulted while they were incapacitated, police said.

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“Police believe some individuals may have connected with the accused through online dating platforms, social media, or arranged meetings and may not realize they were victimized,” investigators said in a statement.

Richard was charged with gang sexual assault, administer a stupefying or overpowering drug, procuring and fail to comply with probation.

At least one other suspect in Geneva, Switzerland was arrested late last year in connection with the case following the W5 investigation.

Meanwhile, Hayward is facing 60 charges in Hamilton and Calgary, Alta. for alleged crimes against more than a dozen Canadian women.

Hayward’s ex-wife Chelsea Davies, who publicly identified herself as one of his victims in July of last year, previously accused her former husband of drugging their then 11-year-old daughter in 2023.

Medical records obtained by W5 showed that a toxicology report from the hospital at the time came back positive for the sedative benzodiazepine. Hayward has not been charged in connection with that incident.

None of the charges have been tested in court.

‘Deeply disturbing and difficult to process’

In a statement to CTV News, Davies said that learning that another individual has been charged in connection with the case is “deeply disturbing and difficult to process.”

“My focus remains on supporting survivors, protecting my daughter’s well-being, and advocating for systemic improvements around drug-facilitated sexual violence investigations,” she said.

“Cases involving allegations of drug-facilitated sexual violence can leave survivors questioning themselves, their memories, and whether they will be believed. I hope this encourages people to understand how serious and complex these investigations can be.”

Police are asking anyone who may have had contact with Richard or Hayward to contact them at 905-540-5545 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

With files from W5’s Avery Haines and Joseph Loiero