“Pedophile hunters” arrested by Gatineau Police Thursday
“Pedophile hunters” arrested by Gatineau Police Thursday
Thursday (March 30), Gatineau Police (SPVG) arrested five men, including one from Luskville, who in recent months took part in a “hunt” for suspected pedophiles in the Gatineau area. The men are facing a total of 38 charges, including criminal harassment, forcible confinement and distribution of child pornography. A Gatineau woman in her 20s was arrested later that day.
The SPVG announced that they arrested the five Thursday morning with the help of the Sûreté du Québec and MRC des Collines police and in the execution of the warrants, seized computer equipment as well as improperly stored firearms.
In a press release, the SPVG specified that they were informed about the group in January and had received a dozen complaints from citizens concerned about their actions or who had been victims of the group’s actions. The SPVG note that they have spoken with regional media to discourage vigilante actions and warn of the risks for those who participate.
On January 31, an SPVG investigator met with the “instigator” of the group to explain the risks if he continued this initiative. Earlier in January, they issued a press release about an intervention of theirs on rue Main in Gatineau that was falsely linked to the “pedophile hunters.”
The release reiterates that “in no case can a person take justice into their own hands, even if they are the victim of a crime, whatever it may be. When a crime is committed, citizens must contact the police as soon as possible so that police action can be taken against the offenders.”
The charges are as follows:
André Chevalier-Robitaille, 40, of Luskville charged with:
– Criminal harassment (2 counts)
– Intimidation (3 counts)
– Forcible confinement (2 counts)
Joey Chartrand, 25, of Gatineau charged with:
– Distribution of child pornography (1 count)
– Criminal harassment (8 counts)
– Intimidation (4 counts)
– Forcible confinement (2 counts)
Jessy Chartrand, 27, of Gatineau charged with:
– Distribution of child pornography (1 count)
– Criminal harassment (2 counts)
– Intimidation (1 count)
Normand Philip Payant, 26, of Gatineau charged with:
– Distribution of child pornography (1 count)
– Criminal harassment (5 counts)
– Intimidation (1 count)
– Forcible confinement (1 count)
Liam Georges Dupont, 24, of Gatineau charged with:
– Distribution of child pornography (1 count)
– Criminal harassment (1 count)
– Intimidation (1 count)
– Forcible confinement (1 count)
Mélissa Breton, 25, of Gatineau charged with:
– Distribution of child pornography (1 count)
– Criminal harassment (1 count)
