A Montreal father who responded to an escort ad and considered sleeping with a minor but instead encountered an undercover agent was ultimately sentenced to six months in prison.
• Also read: Jail for underage escort client
“Even if she were a police officer [dans la chambre d’hôtel], he was willing to sleep with a minor. I consider it a serious crime, the objectification of children is highly reprehensible,” commented Judge Christian M. Tremblay this Monday at the Montreal courthouse.
Jean-Sébastien Monette, 44, looked embarrassed and carried a large suitcase containing his personal belongings. He went to the cells for his crime committed in the summer of 2019.
Flooded with calls
At that time, he came across an escort ad online that featured a photo of a young woman with the caption “little Lolita with super soft skin.” Monette answered just like 165 other people.
However, Monette ignored the announced age as the majority stopped all communication when the “prostitute” claimed to be 16 years old. When he arrived at the hotel with $120 in his pocket, he was handcuffed.
Six other people aged 26 to 54 were also arrested at the scene.
Caught devastated and faced with overwhelming evidence, Monette eventually pleaded guilty to attempting to obtain sexual services from a minor for payment.
Family support
However, this is a serious crime, so much so that even though Monette had always led an orderly life in the past without any problems with the law, he was unable to escape prison.
“He is a father of three who has made a huge mistake,” argued his lawyer Me Jean-Louis Poulard.
His partner, who knows the allegations, would always support him. As for the defendant, who is entitled to the financial support of his family, he deeply regrets his actions, the lawyer assured.
“I am sure he will no longer be tempted to do that,” the judge commented. He will pay for it [le crime]we hope the rehabilitation will be there.”
However, Monette has to go to prison in the meantime. And once his sentence is served, he will have to serve two years of probation in addition to being placed on the sex offenders register.
“It is certain that I will not come back here,” Monette said at the very end of the hearing.