San Francisco YMCA camp counselor arrested on charges of molesting campers

Lisa Amin Gulezian Image
ByLisa Amin Gulezian KGO logo
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
SF YMCA counselor arrested on charges of molesting campers
A former YMCA camp counselor awaits extradition tonight from Arizona, back to San Francisco after he was accused of molesting children he was trusted working with.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A former YMCA camp counselor awaits extradition tonight from Arizona, back to San Francisco.

Evin 'Devin' Blanchard, 24, is accused of molesting children he was trusted working with.

At the Embarcadero YMCA, Blanchard, who went by Devin, wasn't known by many adult members. The Y hired him nine weeks ago as a summer camp counselor.

Police say Blanchard inappropriately touched three teenage girls during field trips, possessed child porn, and he sent kids sexually explicit photos and videos through social media.

The camp's director reported him.

"He took a very proactive stance and made sure we stopped and arrested this person for what he did," said San Francisco police Officer Carlos Manfredi.

But catching Blanchard wasn't easy. U.S. Marshals arrested him in a home in Phoenix where they also found pot, a stolen gun, and thousands in cash.

Reps with the popular nonprofit said, "This individual no longer works for the organization. We're working closely with authorities to make sure whatever information they need they get."

They also insist, Blanchard passed a criminal background check.

"Makes it scary to think about it, because anytime you're working with kids you need a background check, or security clearance or whatever," said YMCA member Kurt Tademy.

"I think it's terrible. I feel sorry for the parents," said YMCA member Mary Hornbuckley.

Police say there may be more victims.