A 21-year-old who attempted to sexually exploit two teenagers, just released from prison, is already in the crosshairs of the authorities because he allegedly took part in a fraud scheme with street gang members.
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“You are an individual entrenched in crime despite your young age and that does not‘does not bode well for the rest of your social reintegration”, we read in a recent decision of the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) targeting Simon Fortin.
In July 2022, Fortin was sentenced to four years in prison for trying to recruit two young girls aged 12 and 13 for prostitution as well as for unwanted sexual contact with one of them.
Fortin, who had spent several months behind bars during the legal proceedings, was released from detention last November.
He had also been declared a long-term offender and it was under a long-term supervision order until 2027 that he went to a halfway house, under several conditions.
Among other things, he was imposed a ban on the consumption of alcohol and drugs, on having no contact with children and a restriction on his telecommunications.
He couldn’t refuse
However, last January, the offender was caught with a second cell phone, which he hid from the authorities.
“You have further admitted to being involved in fraudulent activities through certain street gang members,” reads the Commission’s decision.
He also admitted to having been contacted via a messaging application “to resume [ses] criminal activities”.
According to the PBC, he said he was “afraid of reprisals and felt that[il ne pouvait] not refuse”.
His role was to find young people who would agree to open bank accounts in which Fortin’s accomplices could carry out various transactions.
A cell phone check revealed various conversations and photos confirming Fortin’s remarks, and incriminating him at the same time.
According to the bandit, the young people recruited into the scheme were all adults, but the “usernames/groups searched” suggest that he had contact with minors, indicates the PBC, which is also a breach of its terms.
“You would also have made fraudulent transfers. For these acts, you would have been promised $5000, but you would not have received it yet”, specifies the PBC.
confession
Fortin’s confession was also disclosed to the police, the Commission said in its recent decision.
According to research carried out by The newspaper, Fortin did not appear in court on new charges. The Canadian Correctional Service refused to confirm whether the criminal had been sent back to jail.
The PBC also recommended that the 21-year-old be brought to justice for failing to comply with the long-term surveillance that targeted him.
“It seems clear to the Commission that you are in no way interested in changing your life trajectory, we decide in the decision. No measure can ensure adequate management of the risk that you present in the community.”
The Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions indicated that he had no new information in this case.