Two Men Sentenced in Montreal for Grandparent Scam Involvement

**Two Men Sentenced in Montreal for Grandparent Scam Involvement** Two men involved in a grandparent scam were sentenced on Tuesday at the Montreal courthouse. Christian Valdes, 31, from Chambly, received a prison sentence, while Jared Fogel, 35, from Laval, was sentenced to house arrest and community service. Quebec Court Judge Julie Riendeau accepted the joint recommendations for sentencing from prosecutor Erik Cookson-Montin and the defense attorneys. Valdes will serve 17 months in prison followed by two years of probation. Fogel's sentence includes 18 months, with the first nine months under house arrest. He can leave his residence during designated times for essential activities and work. Both men were arrested in October 2023 during a crackdown on a scam that targeted elderly individuals. They pleaded guilty to identity theft, while a fraud charge against them was stayed. The scam involved fraudsters posing as relatives in distress to solicit money from seniors. Valdes has a criminal record, which influenced his sentencing. His defense attorney, Joseph Elfassy, noted that Valdes became a father after his arrest and has since gained a better understanding of right and wrong. Fogel's sentence requires him to adhere to a curfew after the house arrest period. He must also complete 240 hours of community service. In a related case, Joshua Sarroino, 31, who was acquitted of murder earlier this year, was also arrested during the same operation. His trial revealed that Valdes was present at the same restaurant table as the murder victim, Éric Francis De Souza, when the shooting occurred. The Crown has appealed Sarroino's acquittal, leading to a new trial ordered by the Quebec Court of Appeal. The investigation into the grandparent scam involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including those from Maryland, Indiana, Chicago, the FBI, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. In April, another individual, Lucas Savvidis, was sentenced to three years of probation for his involvement in the scam. He was also present at the restaurant table with Valdes and the murder victim during the shooting incident.