Sherbrooke man arrested in Florida for ‘sexual tourism’-related crimes

MONTREAL — Forty-seven-year-old René Roberge enjoyed telling friends about his next big trip.

According to his Facebook page, he made regular getaways to beach destinations.

Police in southern Florida say Roberge’s last trek was a one-way trip — to jail.

Last Sunday, the Sherbrooke resident and television video editor was arrested at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport.

READ MORE: Quebec man nabbed in Florida for sexual tourism

U.S. authorities said he travelled to Florida in order to have sex with a minor: a 14-year-old boy.

According to court documents obtained by Global News, Roberge went online last month and searched for “fathers who were willing to share their son for sex.”

Roberge had several discussions with who he believed to be a 55-year-old man named “Remy.”

In one letter, Roberge promised to be “kind and gentle” with the man’s son.

What Roberge did not know, was that the person on the other end was actually an undercover police officer.

Court documents also revealed that after his arrest, Roberge quickly admitted to his crimes.

The man’s tablet was seized; it contained child pornography.

Condoms and gifts for the boy were also found in Roberge’s suitcase.

Roberge even told authorities he booked “a second trip to Texas to have sex with another boy.”

Legal analyst Philip Schneider said that if convicted, Roberge could face a minimum 10-year prison term. He would only become eligible for parole after serving the majority of his sentence.

“If he’s sentenced to 10 years, after eight and a half years in the U.S., he could be released,” Schneider told Global News.

“That’s considering he has good behaviour.”

American authorities said that additional charges could be laid Friday, when Roberge has a scheduled bail hearing.

More than six years ago in May 2008, Selwyn House schoolteacher Richard Doucet was arrested of similar crimes.

The following year, Doucet was sentenced to a 14-year prison term.