This was in Québec but a man was just sentenced to 22 months in jail for non-consensual filming of encounters with about 30 or so sex workers— criminal charges are a possibility depending on laws here. Connect with Maggie’s and they should have a lawyer to consult as well as a direct line to sex crimes unit at TPS. Sorry you went through this.
The criminal law is the same across Canada. So yes, he committed a criminal act.
NOTE to GUYS!!!! He also pled guilty to charges of
"obtaining sexual services for remuneration".
So yeah, keep in mind that this "hobby" is illegal.
Whenever you are asked for e-transfers, your LinkdIn or if you are not using a burner phone, keep in mind that you are exposing yourself to increased risk of being charged.
You may find yourself as 'innocent' by-catch of some other investigation of an agency or maybe an "indy" is really not an "indy". So every step to make it more difficult for the police to track you down is worth it. If they can take down a bunch of guys that are easily identified by the agency or pimp or subject's devices and databases to make a public splash, they may do so more easily with the information you provided the provider. If it takes more effort, then the cops are less likely to bother with warrants to work through multiple layers to identify you.
But make no mistake, if you are a sleazebag or assault or film or whatever... no burner phone or burner /text app is going to protect you or hide your identity. The police have the tools to swim upstream and identify you quite readily. It just takes a serious enough offence and effort of the investigators to get warrants to identify you.
Here is the article translated to english.
A hardened criminal was sentenced to a "severe" sentence of 22 months in prison for filming about thirty sex workers without their knowledge. Accumulating 150 convictions, Martin Pillay is "unable to live in society without committing crimes," according to a judge.
"Certainly, the sentences attempted did not have the expected effect. His history is serious and important. The total is around 150 criminal records. Clearly, rehabilitation justice has put society in danger. He doesn't know how to behave there, "said Judge Thierry Nadon, when he handed down the sentence last Wednesday at the Montreal courthouse.
At 45, Martin Pillay has "persistent, constant and chronic" crime: more than 110 convictions for non-compliance with conditions and heavy history for harassment, robbery, sequestration, assault, fraud and burglary.
His portrait is so disturbing that believing in his "social reintegration" would be "to show magical thought or dangerous blindness for society," Judge Nadon even concluded.
Last Monday, Martin Pillay cut short his trial by pleading guilty to voyeurism and obtaining sexual services for remuneration. For five years, he filmed his sexual frolics with 29 sex workers, unbelied to them. During this period, he was under probation, prison sentences at home and prison sentences on weekends.
"He films things that could not be more explicit and personal: blowjobs, complete sexual relations, discussions on ITS, price negotiations, real identities and discussions on personal topics, including his studies," summarized Judge Nadon.
Martin Pillay justified his actions in a surprising way: he wanted to "avoid being accused" by women. The judge rejected his arguments en bloc.
"Asserting or implying that moral guilt is less since coming from a sexual relationship in exchange for money helps perpetuate myths against sex workers," said Judge Nadon.
A "severe" sentence
The defense lawyer, Jonas Fadeu, requested an eight-month prison sentence, while the Crown Prosecutor, Me Ève Malouin, demanded an exemplary sentence of three years in prison.
In theory, the offence of voyeurism can result in a maximum sentence of five years in prison. But in fact, the sentences imposed always vary between acquittal and two years of imprisonment. In case law, there is hardly any higher sentence. The maximum of five years is therefore almost a matter of theory.
Judge Nadon concluded a "severe" sentence of 22 months in prison, which is at the top of the "senalty range" in terms of voyeurism. He noted many aggravating factors, including premeditation, the "very long period" of offense, the large number of victims and the consequences on them.
The judge also retained as mitigating factors his admission of guilt, which avoids the viewing of 16 hours of videos in the courtroom, and his "well-felt" regrets and remorse.
Martin Pillay is not done with justice: his trial for possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition began last Wednesday. However, the accused requested the judge's recusal, without however giving reasons. A request to this effect is to be debated next Tuesday.
In addition, Martin Pillay was sentenced last January at the Longueuil courthouse to six months in prison for harassment and voyeurism towards a woman. He had threatened to expose his victim to his family if she did not give him her cell phone. He also sent her videos of a sexual relationship filmed without her knowledge.