A cheerleading coach from St. Catharines is facing charges in connection with a historic sexual assault investigation after allegedly assaulting two women on several occasions over a three-year period. Niagara Regional Police said they were made aware of the sexual assaults earlier this year, adding that two separate female victims reported the incidents that occurred from 2009 to 2012. The accused had been a cheerleading coach for both women, police said. In a news release issued Tuesday, police said they arrested 42-year-old Derek Ovenden. Ovenden has been charged with sexual assault, sexual interference and four counts of sexual exploitation. The charges have not been tested in court. Niagara police said Ovenden was a volunteer cheerleading coach at undisclosed high schools in St. Catharines before opening his own gym called Cheer Empire Eagles. Detectives believe there may be more victims and urge anyone with more information to contact them.
