Although Tobie Laurin-Lépine's trial was scheduled to begin on Monday, he has already been found guilty. The Gatineau resident facing multiple charges related to the manufacture and possession of firearms has been found guilty on multiple counts.
Laurin-Lépine was found guilty in 8 out of 20 cases. There was therefore a conditional suspension in 12 cases.
The defendant admitted to the judge that if the trial had taken place in full, the prosecution would have been able to present the evidence beyond reasonable doubt. The most important file concerned the production of homemade firearms using a 3D printer. He manufactured weapons for two years, between November 2019 and 2021.
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Also on November 14, 2021, the police conducted a search of his apartment following tips from the public.
Laurin-Lépine was also found guilty of possession of restricted firearms, loaded or with easily accessible ammunition, possession of firearms without a license and possession of prohibited devices. Apart from the magazines, all weapons were made using a 3D printer.
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“It is certain that this is one of the biggest problems in the region in this area when it comes to manufacturing firearms using a 3D printer. We've had others, but not on this scale. And unfortunately there is a risk that these are cases that we are seeing more and more often,” believes Me Antoine Desaulniers, Director of Criminal and Prosecution.
Both the prosecution and the defense have not agreed on a verdict. A sentencing hearing will take place on May 27, 2024.