WARNING: This story contains details about threats of physical and sexual violence against women and minors.
A man from Burlington, Ont., who admitted to making threats against two women says he feels “remorseful” for his actions, which also included online posts about violence he intended to carry out.
De Andre Anderson, 25, was present at the continuation of his sentencing hearing this week. He was arrested and charged in April 2024 with two counts of uttering threats “in support of the incel ideology,” according to the RCMP.
These charges stemmed from a joint investigation involving Halton Regional Police Service and the FBI, and police indicated that they could be considered terrorist activities under the law.
He entered a guilty plea in November. The Crown prosecution submitted its sentencing recommendations at the end of August, asking for a five-year sentence. The defense presented its case on Tuesday.
“I regret everything that I said on the incel forum,” Anderson told the Milton Ontario Court of Justice.
“I don’t know what I was thinking.”
According to an agreed statement of facts between the Crown and defense, Anderson used the username Mr Ugly420 to make public posts on an incel website between December 2022 and April 2024.
Incel refers to “involuntary celibate,” which is a misogynistic subculture that often expresses frustration over their inability to form romantic or sexual relationships by blaming women. CBC Hamilton has chosen not to name the incel website where Anderson made his posts.
He mentioned in these posts that he wanted to shoot a former classmate in the head because she had previously rejected him, as stated by the Crown prosecutor during an earlier court appearance. He even posted her picture online.
After his arrest, authorities discovered a plan created by Anderson detailing intentions to kill his dentist along with “a plan to stab/attack women randomly.”
The identities of the victims remain protected due to a publication ban.
The Crown argued that both charges represent terrorist activities as defined by criminal law.
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Admiration for Mass Killers
Anderson was denied bail last summer because there were concerns he might act on his violent fantasies targeting vulnerable individuals. Specifically, he directed threats toward his classmate and dentist. The agreed statement indicates that he expressed online desires such as wanting to run over a woman or even kill one and engage in sexual acts with her body. An derson al so po sted adm iration f or mass killers like Payton Gendron, who murdered ten Black people in Buffalo, N. Y., as well as Elliot Rodger, responsible for killing six college students in southern California. Police also found evidence showing he admired Alek Minassian who killed ten people using a van while driving down a Toronto sidewalk; Nathaniel Veltman who murdered four members of a Muslim family and injured another person during an attack motivated by hate in London, Ont. Additionally, Anderson expressed wishes regarding running people over with cars and entering the U. S. for firearms intending mass casualties or assaulting minors. Authorities recovered items including a knife, a mattress marked with stab wounds along with notes where Anderson planned how he’d practice stabbing techniques according to their findings. In December 2023 , Halton regional police looked into Anderson after online posts surfaced revealing desires such as killing women or attacking locations like Burlington Mall or nightclubs. Though no criminal charges followed then , he did undergo mental health evaluations.Pr osec utors Request Five-Year Sentence
On Tuesday , A nderson told th e court he’s struggled with mental health issues since hi s teens – including anxiety , depression , suicidal thoughts , along wi th ADHD – worsened through heavy drinking habits. He shared willingness t o stay medicated while seeking therapy. “Every day I just wake up and I regret what I have said , what I did t o th e victims,” said A nderson. “I acknowledge that I need help.” His defense asked Judge s on Tuesday t o consider crediting time served instead while arguing A nderson should receive recognition f or being held custody f or three years.A psychiatric report prepared earlier this year b y Dr. Philip Klassen noted low self-esteem issues affecting social interactions w ith women alongside confirming unwanted desires towards minors. It concluded stating A nderson poses danger t o public safety overall.
Federal prosecutor Sabina Burdo highlighted various reasons supporting their recommendation f or five-year sentence including youthfulness, guilty plea, and absence criminal history.
According agreed facts, A nderson admitted those threats aimed at two victims qualify terrorism offenses under Criminal Code provisions.
If you’re impacted by thi s news report, you can seek mental health assistance through resources available within your province/territory.
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