An Abbotsford man who was charged with a “sextortion” incident in Port Moody has been sentenced to nine months in jail.
Jesse Toews, 30, was sentenced Thursday (April 3) in Port Coquitlam provincial court after pleading guilty to publishing an intimate image without consent and using a computer password to commit an offence.
Toews’ jail term will be followed by two years of probation.
The Port Moody Police Department (PMPD) previously reported that they had been contacted in October 2021 by a young woman who said someone had obtained her password-protected intimate images from a cloud-based platform.
The suspect threatened to distribute the images if she didn’t send additional ones, police said.
The PMPD said an “exhaustive” investigation was launched and resulted in an arrest, a search warrant and the seizure of several electronic devices.
Toews was initially charged in December 2022 with possession of child pornography and using a computer password to commit an offence.
PMPD Const. Sam Zacharias described the case as a “highly complex investigation.”
“Our detectives were tenacious and able to bring this matter before the courts,” he said.
“We understand that these investigations do not always have the same outcome but we do encourage those who have become the victim of a sextortion to call police immediately.”
Toews has also been issued a five-year prohibition order under section 161 of the Criminal Code, which can be applied to cases in which a victim is under 16 years old.
The order prohibits him from:
• attending public parks, swimming areas, community centres and playgrounds where those under the age of 16 are expected to be;
• working or volunteering in a position that involves trust or authority towards those under 16;
• having contact with those under 16, unless under the supervision of a person the court considers appropriate; and
• using the internet or other digital network, unless in accordance with conditions set by the court.
