A teary-eyed Joel Gordon embraced his father Monday after being convicted of child porn-related charges in NWT Supreme Court.

Judge Karan Shaner convicted the 23-year-old Hay River man, on charges of distributing child pornography, child luring and extortion after a statement of facts was presented by Crown prosecutor Morgan Fane.

Between Jan. 2 and Jan. 21, 2016, court heard Gordon, who was 21 years old at the time, used the popular social media app Snapchat to lure and extort five girls in Hay River under the age of 16. During multiple exchanges on the online platform, Gordon posed as a high school student in an attempt to solicit nude photos, according to Fane.

Gordon sent explicit pictures of himself in the Snapchat exchanges while communicating with the five girls, Gordon told one victim to send nude photos "or else," the court heard. She initially refused but relented after Gordon told her he'd find her and "take her."

Gordon threatened to spread intimate images once reciprocated by the victim unless more were sent his way, giving the victim a "deadline" before he made the original photos "go viral," the statement of facts read.

In communicating with another victim, the court heard Gordon told the girl he would rape her if he found her alone. Messaging another victim, he threatened to kill himself.

Gordon also sent photos of two girls to another victim SA国际影视传媒� resulting in the distribution of child pornography charge SA国际影视传媒� telling her he would share them to everyone at Diamond Jenness High School in Hay River if she didn't comply.

Gordon's messages involving self-harm, coupled with complaints of inappropriate communication over the social media app, led to Gordon in late January 2016.

Crown attorney Fane called Gordon's actions "sextortion," and noted the Internet's role in allowing him to "abuse remotely."

Fane said there needs to be a SA国际影视传媒渧ictim-focused approachSA国际影视传媒� in separating offenders from the public, adding online luring SA国际影视传媒渋nvades a very private spaceSA国际影视传媒� where young people socialize.

Citing the need to denounce and deter the evolving presence of online sexual extortion, Fane asked for a sentence of two years less a day followed by three years probation.

Gordon's lawyer, Jay Bran, told the court his client "wants to be normal," and that Gordon took steps from day one to resolve his issues and better himself.

Gordon's early guilty plea, along with acknowledgment of his wrongdoing and pursuit of rehabilitation, prompted Bran to ask for a sentence of 12 to 15 months. Bran agreed with probation following Gordon's release, saying it will foster stability.

Addressing the court, Gordon expressed remorse for his actions.

"I donSA国际影视传媒檛 think anyone out there can hate me as much as I hate myself,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 think ISA国际影视传媒檓 a wicked man. I do feel deep regret.SA国际影视传媒�

With Gordon's family concerned about his mental health, Bran asked that he serve time in Hay River where his father works, allowing for family visits. Judge Shaner said she would recommend Gordon be sent to South Mackenzie Correctional Centre in Hay River but added the final call isn't up to her.

Shaner said she would make a sentencing decision on Feb.12. Gordon was taken into custody following his conviction.