A Quebecer who administered an international forum for pedophiles on the hidden web (dark web) was sentenced to eight years in prison and could be declared a dangerous offender. However, it took little for Jeffrey Howard Hébert to escape this label due to government negligence, like a violent criminal this month.
The 41-year-old predator has been waiting for months to undergo his evaluation at the Philippe-Pinel National Institute of Forensic Psychiatry to determine whether he should be declared a long-term or dangerous offender. These labels are reserved for the worst criminals and help protect the public. The judge can thus impose an indeterminate sentence or order close supervision of the offender for years.
Such an assessment must in principle be carried out within 60 days, indicates the Criminal Code. However, after five months, Jeffrey Howard Hébert is still 14e on the waiting list to be assessed by the Institute, having moved up just four places in two months. Afflicted by underfunding and a high volume of requests, the Institute can no longer meet legal deadlines.
Earlier this month, Judge Dennis Galiatsatos caused a stir by refusing to extend the 60-day deadline for the evaluation of a violent criminal. Result: this repeat offender got away without a dangerous offender label. The magistrate strongly deplored the “catastrophic” evaluation delays of the Institute and the immobility of the Quebec government.
“The Philippe-Pinel Institute has been sounding the alarm for more than two years and the State has chosen not to react. […] It is unacceptable that nothing has been done,” said Judge Galiatsatos. An employee revealed that the Institute would take “three years” to meet the legal deadline.
This decision could jeopardize the assessments of about twenty predators and aggressors. In the case of pedophile Jeffrey Howard Hébert, Judge Yves Paradis said he was “totally in agreement with the reasoning and conclusions” of his colleague from the Court of Quebec. “I cannot denounce the situation in stronger terms than my colleague’s decision,” said Judge Paradis on December 9.
However, the judge was imaginative in order not to bring down the evaluation process. Thus, after having endorsed the common suggestion of an eight-year sentence, the judge then ordered a post-sentence evaluation, but under another section of the Criminal Code.
There is no indication, however, that the pedophile will suddenly jump to the top spot for evaluation in the coming weeks.
However, time is running out since Jeffrey Howard Hébert has in fact only two years in prison to serve before being released, since his detention period deducted has been calculated at double time due in particular to a sexual assault suffered in jail. He will also be subject to three years probation upon his release.
Thousands of photos and videos
The crimes committed by Jeffrey Howard Hébert are particularly disturbing. The pedophile notably photographed from his residence in Dorval neighborhood children aged 2 to 4 years old. More than 700 pictures of these children, naked, were found at his home among a mountain of child pornography.
Indeed, the police discovered on a quarter of the contents of a single USB key no less than 90,000 photos and 1,500 videos of child pornography with particularly shocking details, including children sexually assaulted by adults and even scenes of bestiality. and scatology.
And that might just be the tip of the iceberg since his computers were encrypted. According to the summary of facts, Jeffrey Howard Hébert consumed child pornography several hours a day.
It must be said that the Quebecer was a key player in the pedophile world on the hidden web. He was moderator and even administrator of a discussion forum for pedophiles. As of July 2014, he participated in 13,747 posts on this forum. Among these, Jeffrey Howard Hébert offered technical advice for sexually exploiting children and recounted how he himself assaulted children. Note that he has a history of sexual contact with a minor.
Me Amélie Rivard represents the public ministry, while Ms.e Clara Daviault defends the accused.
The case will return to court in February for a follow-up assessment.