A 21-year-old man from Blainville is set to face additional charges of sexual touching and possession of pornographic material involving children with autism.
The accused, Phylip St-Jacques, learned the news Wednesday just as he was set to attend his bail hearing, three months after his arrest.
The Crown alleges St-Jacques passed himself off as having autism so he could gain the parents’ trust.
The prosecution claims St-Jacques used Internet forums on autism to reach out to parents and befriend them, claiming to have high-functioning autism, but that he had problems looking after himself.
He said he was seeking advice from them, for example claiming he didn't know how to bathe properly.
The Crown said St-Jacques asked a parent to show him how to bathe using a web camera. He allegedly managed to convince parents to show their children naked in the bathtub.
The parents talked among themselves, eventually exposing St-Jacques.
The accused was set to have a bail hearing Wednesday, but instead fired his attorney as the prosecution was about to lay additional charges.
“Following the mediation of the case, more victims communicated with the police and explained that Mr. St-Jacques communicated with them and distribute juvenile pornography,” said prosecutorRoxanne Laporte.
Parents said they don’t want to see the accused on bail because, firstly, they’re unsure if St-Jacques is faking his condition. Secondly, even if he's not, they say they're concerned he could attempt the same scheme on other parents if freed on bail.
Retired Surete du Quebec investigator Claude Aubin, who's helping the parents, is now speaking on their behalf.
“It's sexual deviance,” he said. “These people have some drive and with any kind of medication, I don't think it's going to stop. He's 21 years old and started that three to four years ago.”
