Sudbury teen Zachary Pilon was handed a suspended sentence and three years probation on Jan. 4, nearly two years after his arrest in 2019.
Pilon pleaded guilty to uttering threats in connection to Instagram posts made in March 2019 that included a kill list with the names of 39 Collège Notre Dame students. His own name was included on that list.
His post on social media sent the school into lockdown on March 20, 2019. An Instagram post he made warned that, on “Friday March 22nd, everyone will finally know my name… Look out CND.”
On Jan 4, 2021, Superior Court Justice Amanda Camara heard sentencing submissions from the Assistant Crown Attorney Kaely Whillans and Pilon's defence lawyer, Glenn Sandberg.
The crown was seeking six months custody for Pilon, with a mandatory four months of house arrest, followed by two years probation with conditions similar to those that were imposed as part of his bail on March 21, 2019.
Sandberg said there must be consequences for his client's actions, but insisted that a criminal record could create havoc on the life of a young person such as Pilon, who is currently 19 years old.
Instead, Sandberg recommended a conditional discharge, which would result in no criminal record for Pilon, and three years of probation along with at least 100 hours of community service.
Pilon spoke briefly during final submissions on Monday, taking full responsibility for his actions.
"What I did was childish, inappropriate, idiotic," said Pilon. "Whatever you see fit as my consequences I will take."
Camara handed down a suspended sentence, meaning Pilon will have a criminal record, as well as three years of probation with conditions that include keeping the peace and being of good behaviour, regularly reporting to a probation officer, having his DNA on file and having no direct or indirect contact with the people mentioned on the kill list.
Additionally, Pilon will be required to complete 50 hours of community service within the first 18 months of his probation.
Under the rules of a suspended sentence, if Pilon does not adhere to the conditions laid out by Camara, he could be sent to prison. At the completion of his three year probation, Pilon can apply for a pardon to have his conviction removed from his criminal record.
