Montreal lawyer accused of sexual abuse of a minor denied bail

Daniel Rochefort, as seen in a handout by Montreal police. (SPVM)

A judge has denied bail for a Montreal lawyer accused of sex crimes involving a minor and who was allegedly caught chatting with a police officer online posing as a teenager.

Judge André Perreault’s ruling on Friday means that Daniel Rochefort, 72, will now remain behind bars pending his trial, which has not yet been scheduled, Noovo Info reported. Crown prosecutor Maria Marissa Kazadellis opposed his release from custody.

Rochefort, who is being represented by defence lawyer Gérald Soulière, did not testify during the bail hearing. Evidence presented at the hearing is protected by a routine publication ban and cannot be reported.

Rochefort is facing 11 charges after his arrest on May 7, including child luring and making child sexual abuse and exploitation material. Police say he was arrested after he allegedly communicated online unknowingly with an officer who was pretending to be a 12-year-old girl.

New charges were added days later on allegations that he sexually assaulted a minor between 2007 and 2012. He was charged with sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, and sexual assault.

According to police, the accused chatted online with the complainant on Instagram with the username “dannyrock16752” and on Snapchat under the alias “dannyrock201721.”

Rochefort is a well-known civil lawyer who has represented high-profile figures, including former Montreal police chief Philippe Pichet, and people involved in several public inquiries, including the Charbonneau Commission and the Gomery Commission.

Since Montreal police announced his arrest and published his photos in a news release, more complainants have forward to investigators.

Noovo Info has previously reported that Rochefort was dismissed from his position as a lecturer at the l’Université de Montréal in 2022 on allegations of sexual harassment. A female student alleged in an interview with Noovo Info that Rochefort subjected her to inappropriate behaviour during an event in 2011.