Sexual assault charges against Alberta spiritual leader and wife stayed

EDMONTON – Sexual assault charges against a self-styled spiritual leader and his wife have been stayed after the Alberta prosecution service said it conducted a thorough review of the file and determined it was unable to proceed with the charges.

Johannes (John) de Ruiter and his wife, Leigh Ann, faced six charges each of sexual assault and were slated to go to trial in Edmonton in September.

Police have said John de Ruiter is the leader of a group known as the College of Integrated Philosophy or the Oasis Group.

Investigators alleged he told female members that he was directed by a spirit to engage in sexual activity with them and doing so would give them the opportunity to achieve spiritual enlightenment.

When the couple was initially charged in 2023, authorities didn’t elaborate on the allegations against Leigh Ann de Ruiter.

Michelle Davio, a spokeswoman for the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service, said in a statement Friday that the service thanked the people “who came forward to provide their accounts of the alleged offences.”

“We understand the personal and emotional impact this process can have, and the disappointment and frustration this outcome may cause.”

John de Ruiter’s lawyer, Dino Bottos, told reporters Friday that his client was the victim of an “overzealous prosecution.” He said that while the Crown never has to explain why it stays charges, he believes it’s because of actions of previous prosecutors on the case.

Specifically, Bottos said it relates to the Crown’s conduct during proceedings earlier this year, which are under a publication ban. 

He said court delays were not due to the de Ruiters, adding the defence was “ready, willing and able to proceed to trial.”

“There is always a spectre that when there is a stay of proceedings or a withdrawal of charges … that the accused must be guilty and got off on a technicality,” Bottos said. 

“The complainants are certainly disappointed in this stay, but the de Ruiters are not happy with the fact that this spectre may exist over their heads and they didn’t get to test the evidence either.”

He said the defence will seek to have that publication ban lifted.

“We want to, on behalf of the de Ruiters, explain to the public what exactly happened these last few months concerning what we think is very troubling conduct by the Crown.”

Davio said the decision to stay the charges was not made lightly and an internal review is underway at the prosecution service “to examine what occurred and to help ensure that a situation like this does not happen in the future.”

“We understand that it may be deeply unsatisfying for those who took part in the process, particularly given the seriousness of the allegations,” she said.

“While the (Alberta Crown Prosecution Service) is limited in what it can share about internal considerations, we want to be clear that this outcome does not diminish the importance of the information provided by the complainants or the significance of their participation.”

Bottos said the de Ruiters plan to seek relief, including compensation for extensive expenses for their defence. 

Zachary Al-Khatib, lawyer for Leigh Ann de Ruiter, said that while a trial is a “torturous process” for everyone, it’s in the public’s interest to have evidence properly tested in court.

“It’s unfortunate that that evidence didn’t get to be properly tested, in some ways, due to Crown conduct on this file.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 17, 2026.