Windsor man sent to jail - not prison - for participation in a terrorist organization

Seth Bertrand seen outside the Windsor Superior Court of Justice in Windsor, Ont. on Oct. 1, 2024.

Seth Bertrand, 23, was convicted to the single charge in August 2025 for applying to join the Atomwaffen Division.

Although Bertrand never took any action for the terrorist group, agreeing with their hateful rhetoric and offering his skills in support of those beliefs was enough – the judge said – to convict him.

Justice Maria Carroccia sentenced Bertrand to nine months in jail to be followed by three years’ probation.

She found a prison term would be “harmful” to Bertrand because it would expose “...an individual who’s vulnerable to negative influences, to a great many negative influences.”

The defence had wanted three years house arrest while the prosecution asked for three years in prison.

Bertrand was given permission to hug his family members before being taken into custody Wednesday.

When he is out of jail, Bertrand will be required to do counselling including a special therapy program for people with a history of extremist views.

He cannot search for or possess any hateful documents or manifestos by terrorist groups.

The court also ordered when he gets access to the internet, Bertrand will only be allowed to have one account per app.