A young counterfeiter has just been sentenced to 14 months in prison after the dismantling of his workshop installed in the city center of Montreal.
What to know
- A 23-year-old counterpart operated on rue Sainte-Catherine, in the city center of Montreal.
- A police descent made it possible to discover that hundreds of false identities could be created in his workshop.
- Gabriel Théberge Chartrée was sentenced to 14 months in prison.
Gabriel Théberge Chartrée rented a room in rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest, almost opposite the Baie store, to make false identity documents.
The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) has found a sophisticated printer there, 42 holograms to install on false health insurance cards, false hydro-québec documents and fake tax readings.
A reserve of 12 boxes of virgin white cards in identity documents were used to be used. Some 120 false driving license from Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and New Brunswick were on site.
“The seized objects reveal the presence of 899 identifying information” which can be used to create false papers, noted judge Thi Trang Dai Nguyen, of the Court of Quebec, in its decision rendered last month.
The analysis also reveals 25 commands of fraudulent documents executed by the accused and paid using cryptocurrency.
Extract from judge’s decision Thi Trang Dai Nguyen
Théberge Chartrée promoted her services on the encrypted application Telegram. In addition to offering false documents, he also offered, for $ 1000, training sessions to Internet users who wanted to make documents.
He pleaded guilty to five charges related to the manufacture of false documents. His business “are similar[ait] to the functioning of a criminal business ”, according to justice.
“Careful planning”
The 27 -year -old young man (23 at the time of his arrest) drew the attention of the SQ cybercrime surveys division. An “infiltrated agent” bought a false driving license and a false social insurance card using cryptocurrency. It was by following this transaction that the police were able to get their hands on the collar of Gabriel Théberge Chartrée. In addition to his workshop on rue Sainte-Catherine, he also worked from his home on rue Guy.
Even after a first search of the police in 2021, the counterfeiter continued his activities, reveals the decision. He was finally accused in 2023.
“The severity of the offenses is manifest: the accused has made false documents to usurp identities and has set up a sophisticated ploy aimed at teaching his fraudulent methods to others,” said Judge Nguyen. “The large number of identifying information seized reveals meticulous planning and the extent of its activities. His persistence in continuing these actions for more than a year after the search testifies to a deep contempt for the law and accentuates the gravity of his behavior. »»
The magistrate assessed that Théberge Chartrée had not expressed very sincere remorse and that he was mainly concerned about the impact of her mishap on her family in the event of incarceration.
Idling
The accused’s lawyer, George Homi Sinan, pleaded that the young age of his client and his recognition of rapid guilt had to play in his favor.
He also argued that the Pandemia of Covid-19 was “an exceptionally difficult period, marked by losses and generalized isolation, and that the accused, being very active, Cherch[ait] A job or to take care otherwise to fill your time, ”according to the decision.
“Explain the use of criminal activities only by the desire to fill a void in his schedule remains a difficult argument to accept and somewhat disconcerting,” replied Judge Nguyen. “Many of people, in similar circumstances, have rather chosen to engage in constructive activities, such as volunteering. »»
The crown asked for a sentence of two years minus one day and the defense, a suspended prison sentence, lasting three to six months.
