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Former Hay River track star convicted in 'sextortion' case

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1206joeH1 Diamond Jenness' Joel Gordon's training efforts this year paid off when he won the gold in the long jump. Photo by Shayla Maisonneuve NNSL

A teary-eyed Joel Gordon embraced his father Monday after being convicted of child porn-related charges in NWT Supreme Court.

Judge Karan Shaner convicted the 23-year-old Hay River man, on charges of distributing child pornography, child luring and extortion after a statement of facts was presented by Crown prosecutor Morgan Fane.

Hay River track star Joel Gordon was convicted Monday on child pornography charges. He is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 12
photo courtesy of Shayla Maisonneuve

Between Jan. 2 and Jan. 21, 2016, court heard Gordon, who was 21 years old at the time, used the popular social media app Snapchat to lure and extort five girls in Hay River under the age of 16. During multiple exchanges on the online platform, Gordon posed as a high school student in an attempt to solicit nude photos, according to Fane.

Gordon sent explicit pictures of himself in the Snapchat exchanges while communicating with the five girls, Gordon told one victim to send nude photos "or else," the court heard. She initially refused but relented after Gordon told her he'd find her and "take her."

Gordon threatened to spread intimate images once reciprocated by the victim unless more were sent his way, giving the victim a "deadline" before he made the original photos "go viral," the statement of facts read.

In communicating with another victim, the court heard Gordon told the girl he would rape her if he found her alone. Messaging another victim, he threatened to kill himself.

Gordon also sent photos of two girls to another victim – resulting in the distribution of child pornography charge – telling her he would share them to everyone at Diamond Jenness High School in Hay River if she didn't comply.

Gordon's messages involving self-harm, coupled with complaints of inappropriate communication over the social media app, led RCMP to Gordon in late January 2016.

Crown attorney Fane called Gordon's actions "sextortion," and noted the Internet's role in allowing him to "abuse remotely."

Fane said there needs to be a “victim-focused approach” in separating offenders from the public, adding online luring “invades a very private space” where young people socialize.

Citing the need to denounce and deter the evolving presence of online sexual extortion, Fane asked for a sentence of two years less a day followed by three years probation.

Gordon's lawyer, Jay Bran, told the court his client "wants to be normal," and that Gordon took steps from day one to resolve his issues and better himself.

Gordon's early guilty plea, along with acknowledgment of his wrongdoing and pursuit of rehabilitation, prompted Bran to ask for a sentence of 12 to 15 months. Bran agreed with probation following Gordon's release, saying it will foster stability.

Addressing the court, Gordon expressed remorse for his actions.

"I don’t think anyone out there can hate me as much as I hate myself,” he said. “I don’t think I’m a wicked man. I do feel deep regret.”

With Gordon's family concerned about his mental health, Bran asked that he serve time in Hay River where his father works, allowing for family visits. Judge Shaner said she would recommend Gordon be sent to South Mackenzie Correctional Centre in Hay River but added the final call isn't up to her.

Shaner said she would make a sentencing decision on Feb.12. Gordon was taken into custody following his conviction.