A Florida man who allegedly sexually abused a teenager every Saturday for two years in the United States has finally been found in Quebec, where he has started a new life by starting a family while taking French classes.
“Every Saturday at 12:45 p.m., he would pick up the victim from her home without her father's knowledge to have sexual intercourse with her. He would then bring her back at 4 a.m.,” reads the extradition request against Adeline St. Amour.
The 35-year-old defendant has been wanted in the United States since late 2022, where he faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted south of the border. Saint-Amour, however, was nowhere to be found, and for good reason: he had fled to Canada, posing as an asylum seeker.
Well established on the South Bank
Once in the country, the fugitive settled on the south shore of Montreal, where he started a family. He was also able to take French courses while also training to become a forklift driver to work in the garage.
“This demonstrates his strong desire to integrate and make a positive contribution to society,” said his lawyer, Mr.e Jonas Fadeu asking for release.
But to Canada's attorney general, there was no doubt that Saint-Amour could be free as air, waiting for the government to determine whether he should be sent to the United States, given the flight risk as well as the seriousness of the crimes there.
This is because, according to US police testimony, Saint-Amour did not know his victim. He met her by chance at a neighborhood party before creating a secret social media account for her.
Then the attacks began, which were repeated every Saturday. However, he was caught after he fell asleep, so he brought the teenager back while his father was awake.
“The victim’s father did not know Saint-Amour and never had any connection with him,” extradition documents state.
Risks in the USA
The Supreme Court finally approved the extradition in September. And last Friday, the Court of Appeal ruled that Saint-Amour remain in custody pending the government's decision.
The latter, however, must take into account that if extradited, he would “almost certainly” face conviction and subsequent detention by ICE immigration agents before being returned to Haiti, where there is a security and humanitarian crisis.
“The observations are not unreasonable,” the Court of Appeal acknowledged, confirming that it would be up to the minister to make the decision.
“Monsieur has a stable life in Quebec, he enjoys the presumption of innocence and vigorously disputes the facts, nothing justifies his extradition,” commented Mr.e Fadeu, who intends to do everything to prevent extradition.
