Laval Youth Center | A DPJ employee accused of pimping

A 36-year-old man arrested last week for pimping and sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl was an employee of the CISSS de Laval and worked as a janitor at the Laval youth center, we learned The Press.

The Sûreté du Québec issued a press release on Monday to announce the arrest of Serge-André Exil-Florestal. The Laval resident was taken into custody and appeared before a judge at the Gatineau courthouse, where he was accused of procuring a person under the age of 18, sexual contact, production of pornography juvenile and sexual assault of a minor.

According to court documents, the alleged victim was 14 years old and would have been under his influence between November 2023 and February 2024. Mr. Exil-Florestal would have pushed her to offer sexual services for payment in Laval and Gatineau.

According to a source with knowledge of the case, the teenager was on the run. She corresponds exactly to the type of vulnerable clientele housed at the Laval youth center. She would have been contacted on the application Snapchat.

For the moment, the actions accused of Mr. Exil-Florestal do not appear to be linked to his employment. The Sûreté du Québec, however, affirms that its investigation shows that the accused “could have had other victims and could have communicated with them via social networks”. The police also invite “any person who has information about Serge-André Exil-Florestal or his actions” to come forward. The investigation was entrusted to the Integrated Anti-Pimping Squad.

Suspended from his job

At the integrated health and social services center (CISSS) of Laval, it is reported that it was informed of the situation on May 2 and that it suspended Serge-André Exil-Florestal. The latter had been working for a year “in housekeeping in various sectors of the youth center”, indicates by email the spokesperson for the CISSS, Marie-Ève ​​Despatie-Gagnon.

“Considering this situation, stakeholders remain on the lookout for reactions and possible denunciations from young people. They are empowered to support them. Employees of the youth program and youth protection are obliged to report any situation that goes beyond the ethical framework, that would put the safety or development of a child in danger,” notes M.^me Despatie-Gagnon.

This confirms that the criminal record of the thirty-year-old had been checked before his hiring, as in the case of any employee.

Mr. Exil-Florestal remains detained in Gatineau for the moment. He must return before a judge this Friday to determine whether he can be released on conditions for the remainder of the legal process. His lawyer, M^e Andrew Smith-Grégoire, did not want to discuss the conditions that could be imposed on him, but confirmed that he was in discussions with the Crown prosecutor to this effect. “We are at the start of the procedures, we will not make any comments at this time,” he explained.

Pimping in 2016

In 2016, the Laval youth center found itself in the news after three young women who were housed there ran away and found themselves in a prostitution network. At the time, the CISSS de Laval recognized that the youth center was a “potential pool” for pimps given the vulnerability of the clientele housed there. The establishment said it was “very concerned” by the fact that pimps were recruiting young girls through social networks.

Outgoing president of the Union of Workers of the CISSS de Laval, Marjolaine Aubé spoke at the time because her daughter had been among the victims. The fact that a cleaning agent at the youth center was arrested for pimping is “unfortunate,” she said. M^me Aubé emphasizes that considering the vulnerability of the young people housed there, the establishment is a prime target for pimps.

“It’s certain that they find all means to get in there. The CISSS has a duty to check backgrounds before hiring, but also to carry out checks (subsequently),” she says.