Gatineau police charge six people in pedophile hunters investigation
Six people are facing charges for allegedly taking part in a "hunt" for suspected pedophiles in Gatineau, Que. over the past few months.
Gatineau police say the trends of so-called "pedophile hunters" first emerged in the city in January, and the investigators met with one of the people involved in the movement to search for suspected pedophiles to discuss the risks.
In a media release on Thursday, police said investigators have received a dozen complaints from residents either concerned about the situation or having been victims of an offence in connection with the actions of the group.
Officers executed five search warrants as part of an operation to collect elements for the investigation, seizing computer equipment, an improperly stored firearm and a small amount of cannabis.
Police said Thursday morning that after several weeks of investigation, officers arrested five people. A sixth person was arrested later on Thursday.
The suspects arrested are:
- Joey Chartrand, 25 of Gatineau, Que.
- Jessy Chartrand, 27, of Gatineau, Que.
- Normand Philip Payant, 26, of Gatineau, Que.
- Andre Chevalier-Robitaille, 40, of Luskville, Que.
- Liam Georges Dupont, 24, of Gatineau
They face charges of criminal harassment and intimidation. Joey Chartrand, Jessy Chartrand, Payant and Dupont also face a charge of distribution of child pornography.
Police say Melissa Breton, 25, of Gatineau was arrested late Thursday morning, and is facing charges of criminal harassment and distribution of child pornography.
"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," police said in a statement. "When a crime is committed, citizens must contact the police as soon as possible so that police action can be taken against the offenders."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
BREAKING Police make arrests in grandparent scam that defrauded victims out of $739K
An interprovincial investigation into an 'emergency grandparents scam' that targeted seniors across Canada has led to the arrest of 14 suspects, Ontario Provincial Police say.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.
'Wild, wild west.' Families say organs of deceased Alabama inmates have been removed without their consent
The state Department of Corrections and the University of Alabama at Birmingham face disturbing allegations from the families of five inmates whose organs were removed and reportedly kept without consent, according to a series of lawsuits.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Juror dismissed from Trump hush money trial as prosecutors seek to hold former president in contempt
A juror in Donald Trump's hush money trial was dismissed Thursday after expressing doubt about her ability to be fair and impartial, and the status of a second New Yorker picked for the panel was in limbo amid concerns that some of his answers in court may not have been accurate.