Ottawa Youth Found Guilty of Terrorism Charges in Plot Targeting Jewish People
An Ottawa teenager has been convicted on two of three terrorism-related charges connected to a 2023 plot against Jewish people. Justice Kerry McVey found the youth guilty of conspiring to commit murder and facilitating terrorist activity by seeking a prohibited firearm, while acquitting him on a charge involving instructional material. The Crown intends to seek an adult sentence.
An Ottawa youth has been found guilty of two out of three terrorism-related charges stemming from a late-2023 plot to attack Jewish people. The teenager, who was 15 years old when arrested in February 2024, had pleaded not guilty to all three charges.
Justice Kerry McVey of the Ontario Superior Court convicted the youth of committing a terrorist offence by conspiring to commit murder in late 2023. He was also found guilty of facilitating a terrorist activity by seeking to acquire a prohibited firearm in December 2023. McVey stated she was satisfied that the teen had joined a conspiracy and that his discussions about obtaining a firearm were sincere.
However, the judge acquitted the youth on a third charge of facilitating terrorist activity by making available and exchanging instructional material and propaganda in late 2023. Regarding the acquittal, McVey noted she was not convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the teen knew the recipient was contemplating a terrorist attack.
The Crown told the court it will be seeking an adult sentence for the youth.
This verdict follows the April conviction of a second Ottawa teen, who was found guilty of four charges after a one-day trial. Neither teen's name can be published due to legal bans protecting the identities of charged youths.