Joel Gordon's Snapchat sex crimes invaded the "comfort and peace" of his victim's homes - and lives - and wouldn't have stopped unless he was caught, Judge Karan Shaner said during a sentencing hearing in NWT Supreme Court today.
Gordon, a 23-year-old former track star from Hay River convicted of child porn-related charges, was given one year for child luring, 18 months for distributing child pornography and 18 months for extortion to be served concurrently. After his release, Gordon will be on probation for three years.
He was convicted of all three charges, which he pleaded guilty to, on Jan. 8.
In what the Crown has described as "sextortion," Gordon used the popular social media app Snapchat to contact and extort five adolescent girls under the age of 16. Between Jan. 2 and Jan. 21, 2016, Gordon, then 21, identified himself as a high school student in an attempt to solicit nude photos from the five victims.
Gordon sent explicit photos of himself, telling one victim to send nude photos back "or else." When he received explicit photos in return, he demanded more and told one victim he'd make the original photos "go viral," if she didn't comply. Messaging another victim, Gordon told the girl he would rape her if he found her by herself.
Reviewing victim impact statements submitted in court, Judge Shaner said one victim, now suffering from anxiety, felt "alone and scared" following her interactions with Gordon. She remains fearful today, thinking he may be "stalking her," Judge Shaner said. Another victim's mother expressed a "profound sense of failure" after her daughter was victimized by Gordon, Shaner stated.
Before handing down the sentence, Shaner noted her considerations of the case's circumstances and Gordon's past.
Shaner said Gordon "wreaked havoc" on the lives of multiple victims, acting without regard for their "feelings or dignity." Gordon's young age, as well as his early guilty plea, were also weighed in determining a sentence. Shaner recalled Gordon's statements in court after being convicted in January, where he expressed "self-loathing" - telling the court he "hated himself" - and remorse for his actions.
Relaying the words of a psychologist who had assessed Gordon, Shaner said depression and anxiety "figured prominently" throughout the 23-year-old's life. Drug and alcohol abuse was commonplace in his home life, and he accessed pornography at a young age, Shaner added.
Shaner noted Gordon's mental health issues, but said there was no evidence that indicated he didn't know right from wrong.
Along with the concurrent sentence, Gordon must resister as a sex offender for 20 years and is banned from possessing firearms for 10 years. He must also submit a DNA sample.
Because Gordon's offences involved victims under the age of 16, he will also be subject to a prohibition order, meaning he'll be barred from attending certain places or participating in activities that may put him in contact with people under 16. Daycare centres, school grounds and playgrounds are off limits. So too is Internet usage, unless it's used for educational or employment related purposes.