Kamloops deputy sheriff facing 4 child-sex charges after Creep Hunters sting

A Kamloops deputy sheriff has been charged with four child-sex-related counts stemming from an investigation that was launched after a vigilante group claimed it caught him engaging in an online sexual relationship with a person he thought was a 14-year-old girl.

Kevin Johnston is facing three counts of communicating with a person believed to be underage for the purpose of facilitating a sexual offence and one count of invitation to sexual touching according to the B.C Criminal Justice Branch.

The news release says the alleged offences occurred between Aug. 8 and Aug. 27 of this year.

Kelowna's Creep Hunters claims it ensnared Johnston after he responded to a Craiglist ad posted by the group representing itself as a 14-year-old girl.

Video uploaded to Facebook shows Creep Hunters members confronting a man in a car in a Kelowna parking lot they claim is Johnston.

Creep Hunters leader Mitchell Shelswell told CBC News the charges against Johnston are "our first charges being laid."

He said Creep Hunters formed four months ago to "save children from predators." 

According to the Criminal Justice Branch, Johnston is no longer employed with the B.C. Public Service.

His first court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 20 in Kelowna Provincial Court.

The charges against Johnston come on the heels of news an RCMP officer could be facing charges in a similar vigilante group sting in Surrey.

Police have repeatedly warned that vigilante groups such as Creep Catchers and Creep Hunters risk doing more harm than good.

With files from Samantha Garvey