By N.Ugoh
In a shocking development, two Moncton-area men have been slapped with a total of 21 charges in connection with alleged online ‘sextortion’ schemes. Jean-Michel Gouin and Ketiboua Kesse found themselves in the Moncton provincial court dock facing accusations of sexually exploiting individuals online and coercing them into paying hefty sums of money.
Initially scheduled for a plea on a single charge of possession of stolen property obtained by crime, Gouin and Kesse’s legal proceedings took a drastic turn as Crown prosecutor Guillaume Rigucci revealed plans to withdraw the initial charges and instead lay 21 new charges against the defendants.
The charges include extortion, fraud, money laundering, trafficking funds obtained by crime, and possession of property obtained by crime. Gouin, 28, faces 19 of these charges alone, relating to coercing a dozen individuals into paying substantial amounts, sometimes exceeding $5,000, between May 1, 2022, and April 10, 2023.
Among the alleged victims, nine men and three women were targeted, with three individuals reportedly forced to pay more than $5,000 each. Additionally, Gouin faces a separate charge of breaching conditions of release.
The accused were apprehended by the RCMP in the Moncton area on March 2, 2023, following a tip-off from a Quebec police force. According to reports, the alleged victims primarily hail from Quebec.
It is alleged that the accused, along with a third individual yet to be charged, were operating as part of an organized network aimed at sexually extorting youth in New Brunswick. Electronic devices were seized during search warrants executed in Moncton and Dieppe.
The defence lawyers requested additional time to review disclosure, which was granted by Judge Yvette Finn. The next court appearance for the defendants is scheduled for March 27, where they will enter pleas and decide on their preferred mode of trial.
This development comes at a time when New Brunswick RCMP are witnessing a surge in online sextortion scams. Since 2023, 66 sextortion reports have been received, with 43 reported in January alone, according to a recent news release.
The case underscores the growing threat of online exploitation and the urgent need for enhanced vigilance and preventive measures in the digital realm. As the legal proceedings unfold, the community remains vigilant, hoping for justice for the victims of these reprehensible crimes.
