Police ploy compromised | He is acquitted, even though the fake escort told him he was 16

The police’s modus operandi for catching clients of juvenile prostitution is being jeopardized by a recent judgment. A Montreal man was acquitted Monday even though the escort – played by a police officer – repeatedly told him she was 16. The accused said he thought it was a “role play” by a woman in her 30s.

Alexis S. Bourrelle, a 40-year-old Montrealer, was found guilty Monday of obtaining sexual services for consideration from an adult and trafficking cocaine. However, Quebec Court Judge Salvatore Mascia acquitted him of the most serious charges: luring a minor and obtaining sexual services from a minor.

In this case, officers from the Montreal Police Service (SPVM) used a ploy frequently employed by police forces in the province to tackle the scourge of juvenile prostitution. Dozens of men have been convicted following such operations in recent years.

On an escort website, the SPVM placed an ad for “Gabby,” a “young Lolita” who was “starting out” in the profession. In April 2022, Alexis S. Bourrelle communicated with the young escort. His sexual intentions were very clear, according to the text messages exchanged. On three occasions, “Gabby”—who was played by a police officer—wrote to her that he was 16 years old.

On the first occasion, Bourrelle replied that he had not received her last message on this subject. On the second occasion, he asked the escort to confirm that he was “18, just in case”, since he really wanted to have sex. “I’m 16”, she replied.

“I don’t want any trouble. Say you’re 18 and I’ll be there,” he continues.

The accused wants to speak to her on the phone, but “Gabby” refuses. It’s her first time, she says.

For Alexis S. Bourrelle, it was obvious from the beginning that his interlocutor was over 30 years old. In his eyes, she was therefore “playing” the role of a teenager. But there is no allusion to a “game” in their exchanges. As for age, the accused’s impression was based on the alleged “wrinkles” at the bottom of the escort’s face in her online ad.

However, according to Judge Mascia, this photo does not allow us to say the age of the person, who could be a teenager or a woman in her thirties.

Once in the hotel room in downtown Montreal, Alexis S. Bourrelle offered cocaine to “Gabby,” played by a young policewoman. She refused. For the last time, the escort clearly stated to her that she was 16 years old. “Do what you want,” the accused replied. He was then arrested.

According to an investigator, it often happens that a suspect makes it to this final stage, but decides to turn back when the escort tells him out loud that he is a minor. In such a case, the suspect is not charged.

The Crown’s evidence did not convince Judge Mascia of the accused’s guilt. “We cannot completely dismiss the accused’s explanations,” he concluded, in a particularly disjointed oral judgment. The judge apologized several times for repeating himself.

The judge noted that the accused asked the escort four times if she was an adult. In addition, the judge noted, the ad for “Gabby” was on an adult escort website – which is always the case during such police operations. Also, the judge considered favorably the fact that Bourrelle tried to speak to her on the phone.

“What more could the accused have done?” asks Judge Mascia.

Another argument raised by the judge: Bourrelle asked the escort if the meeting would take place in a condo or an apartment, which allows us to infer that he believed she was an adult. Also, only an adult could have reserved a hotel room, according to Judge Mascia. However, it is well known that pimps generally rent out escorts’ rooms.

Sentencing observations will take place at the end of the month.

M^e Marie-Josée Thériault represents the public prosecutor, while M^e Sevag Abrahamian defends the offender.