Man Charged for Arson of Pornhub Executive’s Luxury Home

A man has been charged in connection with a fire that destroyed a luxury home in northern Montreal, which was owned by a high-ranking executive of the pornography website Pornhub. On October 3, 2023, Claudy Lafond, 39, appeared before a judge at the Quebec Court in Montreal, facing three significant charges linked to the incident that occurred on April 25, 2021.

The property, located on Jean-Bourdon Avenue in the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough, had an estimated value of $19.5 million at the time of its destruction. Reports indicate that the fire was set shortly after the property was featured in a news segment announcing its sale. The executive associated with the home was Feras Antoon, then a senior figure at MindGeek, the parent company of Pornhub. In 2023, MindGeek underwent a significant transition, being sold to a private equity firm.

According to a warrant issued for Lafond’s arrest in September, he is accused of recklessly or intentionally setting the fire. He also faces charges for possessing incendiary materials, specifically gasoline, and for breaking and entering the luxury property to commit a crime. This incident is part of a broader case; Lafond is additionally charged with arson for a fire at a restaurant on Highway 335 in Ste-Calixte, which occurred just a week prior to the Montreal fire.

Details of the Investigation and Charges

Montreal police reported that the fire incident received extensive media attention, with damage estimates reaching several million dollars. The investigation, conducted by the Montreal police arson and explosives unit, ultimately led to Lafond’s arrest. He is currently being held at a detention center in Montreal, awaiting trial for an attempted murder charge related to another incident.

The investigation began when a 911 caller reported seeing two individuals near the home in Ahuntsic-Cartierville just before the fire occurred. Police have indicated that there may be additional arrests linked to this case, highlighting the ongoing nature of their investigation.

Lafond’s case is scheduled to return to court on October 5, 2023. The ramifications of this incident extend beyond the destruction of a luxury property, touching on broader issues surrounding criminal activity and public safety in Montreal.